Erdoğan, Pashinyan expect swift progress in 'normalization' efforts

Photos: AA/File

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken over the phone today (July 11) with Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about the "normalization process" between the two countries,

The two leaders emphasized the importance of the process, which will "also contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the region," according to a statement by Turkey's Presidency.

They also expressed their expectations for the immediate implementation of the issues agreed upon during the July 1 talks of the special representatives of the two countries, said the statement.

In a Twitter post, Pashinyan said, "We expect early implementation of agreements reached in the meeting of our Special Representatives on July 1."

Erdoğan extended his greetings to Pashinyan on the upcoming Vardavar Festival, while the Armenian president extended his greetings to the Turkish president on the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice).

Turkey and Armenia last December named special envoys to discuss the normalization of ties. The envoys have held four meetings since then, with the latest one taking place on July 1 in Vienna.

After the latest meeting, the envoys agreed to enable the crossing of the land border between Turkey and Armenia by third-country citizens visiting the two countries respectively at the earliest date possible.

Ambassador Serdar Kılıç and Deputy Speaker of Armenia's Parliament Ruben Rubinyan also agreed on commencing direct air cargo trade between their countries at the earliest possible date.

Since the start of the normalization talks, flights between İstanbul and Yerevan have resumed. The two countries intend to resume diplomatic relations and achieve what they call "full normalization." (VK)