Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that opening the Armenia–Turkey border and establishing full diplomatic relations are “only a matter of time,” highlighting Armenia’s continued push for regional peace and cooperation during his address at the 8th Paris Peace Forum on October 30.
During a panel discussion titled “At the Crossroads of Leadership: Navigating Power and Stability in a Fragmented World,” Pashinyan said there are currently no significant obstacles to opening the Armenia–Turkey border, emphasizing that the two countries are engaged in a positive and constructive dialogue.
“I believe we are approaching a stage where we will have full diplomatic relations, open borders, and economic and political cooperation, becoming normal neighbors. I think that moment is approaching, and it will come soon,” Pashinyan said, adding that he expects tangible progress in the near future.
He noted that the normalization process has been progressing steadily, adding that the peace declaration initialed in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan has created a more positive environment for advancing dialogue with Turkey.
“I believe that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey and the opening of the border between the two countries is merely a matter of time, as there are currently no major obstacles to either opening the border or establishing diplomatic relations. I think it will happen, but how quickly it will happen is another question and a different matter,” Pashinyan said.
Although Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence from the former Soviet Union, the two nations have no formal diplomatic ties. Turkey closed the Armenia–Turkey border in 1993 in solidarity with Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and it remains sealed to this day.
Normalization Efforts and Technical Progress
Armenia and Turkey launched their latest normalization efforts in late 2021, appointing special envoys Serdar K?l?ç and Ruben Rubinyan. The most recent meeting between the envoys took place on September 12, 2025, in Yerevan, marking the sixth round of talks. They reviewed prior agreements and reiterated their commitment to advancing the process without preconditions.
The meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of the July 2022 agreement to open the land border for third-country citizens. Both sides agreed to fast-track technical studies for the rehabilitation of the Kars–Gyumri railway, the establishment of an electricity inter-connector, and the joint renovation of the historic Silk Road (Ani) Bridge. They also discussed increasing air routes between the two countries, with new flights potentially starting in the summer of 2026.
Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an have also held several meetings as part of this ongoing normalization effort. Days before the Paris Forum, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan expressed optimism about the process, noting the “intensive dialogue” with Turkish counterparts and emphasizing that tangible results may soon be achieved.
Armenia’s government is currently evaluating the potential economic impact of reopening the border, with early assessments indicating that bilateral trade could significantly increase once the border is opened.
Constitutional Clarity and the Peace Treaty
Addressing concerns raised by Baku over Armenia’s Constitution, Pashinyan explained that in 2024, the Constitutional Court of Armenia issued a ruling confirming that the country’s Constitution contains no territorial claims against any of its neighbors.
He said the initialed peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan includes clear provisions stating that both sides have no territorial claims against one another and commit not to raise such claims in the future.
“The text of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan contains numerous provisions stating that the sides have no territorial claims against each other and commit not to submit such claims in the future,” Pashinyan said. “All possible and apparent topics have been addressed in the peace treaty, which has already been initialed. There is no such issue.”
He added that once the treaty is signed and ratified, it will acquire supreme legal force, closing the door to any further misinterpretations or political speculation.
Regional Peace and Connectivity
Turning to relations with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan said that peace between the two countries “is already a reality,” calling it a significant development for the South Caucasus. He pointed to the role of international mediation and referred to the Washington Declaration, signed on August 8, as laying the foundation for regional cooperation based on mutual respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and internationally recognized borders.
“We have peace, and it is a reality. This is a historic change not only in our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan but also for our region as a whole,” Pashinyan said. “For the first time, we have a real opportunity to move toward economic cooperation in the South Caucasus and to build not only a peaceful but also a prosperous region.”
Pashinyan also discussed the TRIPP regional connectivity project, which he described as a potential “game-changer” for international trade and regional development. He said Armenia is ready to open its routes for transit between Turkey and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that such cooperation will benefit all regional players.
“Regional connectivity means that Armenia and Azerbaijan will have the opportunity to use each other’s territory for domestic, bilateral, and international communication,” he said. “This will open a new transit route from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the Black Sea, connecting the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas and creating new opportunities for Armenia.”
Pashinyan noted Azerbaijan’s recent announcement lifting all restrictions on transit transportation through its territory toward Armenia, describing it as an important decision. “We, in turn, are ready to open our communication routes for Azerbaijan,” he said. “We are also ready to provide a route for trucks traveling from Turkey to Azerbaijan and from Azerbaijan to Turkey.”
Shared Interests and Common Challenges
Reflecting on the broader regional context, Pashinyan said that both Armenia and Azerbaijan may have come to recognize that their futures and sovereignties are interlinked, and that cooperation could help both nations strengthen their independence and stability.
“Analyzing the global and regional situation, perhaps we and Azerbaijan have realized that there may be some common interests,” he said. “In particular, we may have realized that the fates of the South Caucasus countries are interconnected, and perhaps this has become more visible to us after decades of enmity.”
Pashinyan noted the historical parallels between the two nations, recalling that Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia gained independence together in 1918, lost it soon after, and regained independence simultaneously in 1991. He suggested that this shared history demonstrates how their destinies have often moved in parallel.
“Perhaps, over time, we have understood that there could also be common threats to our independence and statehoods,” he continued. “This is why Armenia has decided to focus on strengthening its statehood and sovereignty.”
He added that while this may be Armenia’s perspective, he is unsure whether Azerbaijan shares this assessment, as it has not been discussed directly between the two sides.
International Support
During his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, Macron noted the peace agreement with Azerbaijan and reaffirmed France’s continued support for Armenia’s sovereignty and regional stability.
