On June 20, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace as part of his working visit, marking a rare high-level encounter between the two countries amid ongoing efforts to normalize bilateral ties. The meeting was reported by the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office.
The Armenian delegation, led by Pashinyan, included Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Deputy Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, who serves as Armenia’s special envoy for the normalization process. They were welcomed at Istanbul International Airport by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci.
While Armenia’s leaders have visited Turkey in the past, this visit is significant: it is the first time an Armenian Prime Minister travels to Turkey explicitly for bilateral negotiations, rather than for symbolic events like inaugurations or sporting matches.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the ongoing process of normalizing Armenia–Turkey relations. According to the Turkish Presidential Press Service, the talks also focused on ongoing contacts between the two countries and the prospects for further steps within the normalization framework. Special attention was given to agreements reached during peace talks between Baku and Yerevan. President Erdogan confirmed that Ankara will continue to support regional development initiatives based on mutual benefit and emphasized the importance of using all diplomatic channels to strengthen regional stability.
The Turkish side also highlighted that Pashinyan’s visit marks an important step in the dialogue process that Ankara aims to advance amid growing security challenges. Erdogan reportedly expressed concerns over Israel’s strikes on Iran and stressed the need to reduce tensions. He said he is continuing close consultations with regional leaders to prevent further escalation.
Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to peace, normalization with neighbors, and continued direct dialogue, including through initiatives like the ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project. The leaders also exchanged views on the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process.
After the meeting, Pashinyan took to social media, stating that he had an “in-depth exchange” with Erdogan in Istanbul, where they “discussed the Armenia–Turkey normalization process, regional developments, and the importance of sustained dialogue.” He added that “Armenia remains committed to building peace and stability in our region.”
Earlier in the day, Pashinyan met with representatives of the local Armenian community in Istanbul. In his remarks, he emphasized the significance of his visit to Turkey, noting that it became possible due to the recently reactivated dialogue between the two countries. He expressed hope that his meeting with Erdogan would provide new impetus to bilateral relations. Pashinyan stressed that the visit was rooted in the framework of Armenia–Turkey interstate relations and aligned with the interests of both nations. He also acknowledged the important role of the Armenian community in Turkey in fostering deeper engagement and mutual understanding between the two states.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister answered questions from community members related to his visit, the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process, regional developments, the “Real Armenia” vision, and other topics.
At the meeting with the Armenian community members, Pashinyan announced that he will invite Erdogan to Armenia in 2026, during the European Political Community summit scheduled to be held in Yerevan, according to Agos.
The visit was notably marked by the absence of representatives from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, both at Pashinyan’s meeting with the Armenian community and during his earlier visit to the Holy Mother of God Patriarchal Church, where he lit a candle and shared a video of the visit on social media. At the church, he was accompanied by Church Council Chairman Hrant Maskafyan, Second Chairman Minas Arslan, and Clothia Temir, Director of the Armenian school attached to the church.
The absence of clergy from the Armenian Church came amid ongoing tensions between the Prime Minister and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Etchmiadzin, which may have influenced the Patriarchate’s decision not to send clergy to greet him. In response to questions from community meeting attendees regarding this, Pashinyan stated, “If they did not come to meet with me, I will go to meet with them.” His remark was greeted with applause.
In contrast, during his visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Pashinyan was received and accompanied by a Muslim cleric.
