Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Turkiye this week in a significant move aimed at normalizing relations between the two neighboring countries. His recent visit to Turkey included a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. This would be only the second successful reconciliation since tensions flared over historical grievances and recent violence. Her visit is an important continuation of the process toward lasting regional peace. Both leaders have been publicly moving in places to deepen their connections.
In 2009, Turkiye and Armenia signed protocols to normalize relations and open their border. The agreement became persistently opposed by Azerbaijan, blocking its ratification. The historical underpinnings are decidedly knotty. Relations between the two countries have been historically fraught over the mass extermination of Armenians during World War I. Yerevan has long referred to this as genocide, a term fiercely contested by Turkiye.
Diplomatic Efforts and Recent Developments
The landmark meeting at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace marked a new high in the continuing, fragile normalization process between the two countries. Since late 2021, Ankara and Yerevan have each named special envoys to lead this process. After a two-year break, commercial passenger flights between the two countries restarted in 2022. Pashinyan’s recent visit is the latest step, following his attendance at Erdogan’s inauguration earlier this year. This visit signals a deep commitment to the value of diplomatic engagement.
Although the two countries lack formal diplomatic relations, the steps taken recently indicate an opening to resolve decades-old grievances and pursue a better bilateral relationship. One of the earliest signals came earlier this year when Pashinyan ordered his foreign ministry to cease Armenia’s efforts to seek international recognition of the 1915 mass killings as genocide. Though this decision was met with domestic pushback, most considered it a major concession to Turkiye.
“Armenia remains committed to building peace and stability in our region.” – Nikol Pashinyan
The context for this visit is the increasingly unrealistic demands of Azerbaijan after a text on peace deal was agreed in principle back in March. Baku has since spelled out a host of other conditions that Armenia has to fulfill, such as passing an amendment to its constitution before ratifying the agreement.
Historical Context and Current Challenges
Historical tensions between Turkiye and Armenia stretch back to the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. These events continue to overshadow their otherwise positive current diplomatic relations. Turkiye’s ongoing denial of these acts as genocide makes reconciliation almost impossible. Most historians understand the gravity of such occurrences. Turkiye rejects the death toll as inflated and argues that the casualties were incurred during civil turmoil as opposed to an organized genocide.
In 2020, relations sunk to an all-time low when Turkiye supported our partner Azerbaijain in its war with Armenia. This support enabled Azerbaijan to make substantial territorial gains, which were solidified through a peace agreement negotiated by Russia. This conflict entrenched their divisions even deeper between the nations, and as a result, Pashinyan’s visit would be historic.
“The risks of war [with Azerbaijan] are currently minimal, and we must work to neutralise them. Pashinyan’s visit to Turkiye is a step in that direction.” – Alen Simonyan
Future Prospects for Cooperation
When Armenia and Azerbaijan signed onto the Brussels Accord the following month, much credit was given to Armenia’s European diplomacy. Behind the scenes, Erdogan’s office was encouraging Armenia’s outreach. Even the most optimistic observers agree that tests deep in the red zone remain. Yet both countries have an opportunity to reforge positive ties.
Alen Simonyan emphasized the historical nature of Pashinyan’s visit, stating, “This is a historic visit, as it will be the first time a head of the Republic of Armenia visits Turkiye at this level. All regional issues will be discussed.” Each side seems open and ready to continue the conversation. This provides an encouraging perspective on future collaboration in a region still overshadowed by past conflict.
“A significant factor, not only regionally but also globally.” – Ilham Aliyev
