(MENAFN) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Wednesday that formal diplomatic relations with Türkiye are set to be established and that the long-closed border between the two countries will eventually reopen.

During a press conference, Pashinyan described recent talks in Türkiye as “open and sincere,” emphasizing that the discussions addressed broader state-to-state relations beyond just Armenian-Turkish normalization efforts.

Highlighting the positive results of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pashinyan said, “All issues were discussed – from the opening of communications to the restoration of the historical Ani bridge.”

While acknowledging that no immediate agreements, such as reopening the land border, were finalized, he underscored the need for a gradual, trust-building process. “Such complex and deep issues cannot be resolved with a single action. We need to build trust and prepare the public. But I have no doubt that we will reach that point: diplomatic relations will be established, and the border will be opened,” he stated.

Pashinyan connected these normalization efforts to Armenia’s larger goal of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and statehood.

In the same briefing, the prime minister indicated that Armenia is more likely to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) than to rejoin it. Citing the CSTO’s failure to meet its obligations to Armenia, he noted that the country has paused participation and withheld membership fees since his announcement in February 2024.

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