Mirzoyan says dialogue with Turkey less problematic than assumed

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has stated that achieving a breakthrough in relations with Turkey could have a major positive effect on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. He made these remarks during the second international Yerevan Dialogue forum, where he discussed the ongoing Armenia-Turkey talks.

Mirzoyan emphasized that dialogue between Turkey and Armenia is not as problematic as one might assume, CivilNet reported.

“We’ve now reached a point where the only thing standing between today and tomorrow—when diplomatic ties can be established, borders opened, and connectivity issues resolved—is the incomplete state of talks and negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said Mirzoyan.

He highlighted that Yerevan’s initiative for dialogue with Ankara is based on the principle that the process should proceed without any preconditions.

Mirzoyan also underlined that Armenia has made considerable efforts to normalize relations with both Baku and Ankara, while also aiming to advance cooperation with the European Union. He warned that if no tangible, practical results are achieved at this stage, the current positive momentum could be lost.

“I believe it will take not one, not two, not even five years—but perhaps an entire generational shift, at least in our case and our region, to restore this dialogue and cooperation, whose potential truly exists with both Azerbaijan and Turkey. And today we are indeed very, very close to that opportunity. So I believe this is perhaps the only point, the only emphasis where I must express disagreement,” Mirzoyan added.

Touching on relations with the European Union, the foreign minister said that Yerevan has high expectations in that regard.

“We may have expectations, but perhaps that’s not the case from the European side. So we need to understand where our visions align. And if they genuinely align, then we must figure out how to act, how to jointly plan our shared future.

Right now, I want to stress again that within Armenian society, there are immense expectations. And if these expectations are not met—whether by our government or our EU partners—we will face deep disappointment.

Ultimately, this is a region where emotions have historically and traditionally played a significant role. And if these expectations lead not to positive outcomes but to disappointment, we will lose this moment. And I find it hard to imagine when we could restart this process again,” concluded the minister.