Pashinyan and Erdogan Meet in New York to Discuss Reopening Trade Links

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Wednesday in New York, seeking to build momentum toward normalizing relations between two neighbors that still lack full diplomatic ties and an open land border.

The talks took place at the Turkish House on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended the meeting.

Pashinyan and Erdogan discussed steps already agreed upon as part of the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and stressed the need to move forward with their implementation, according to the Armenian prime minister’s office.

The two leaders also focused on expanding trade and economic ties, establishing stronger contacts between Armenian and Turkish businesses and continuing preparations for the joint restoration of the historic bridge at Ani, which sits along the countries’ border.

Regional developments were also on the agenda.

Pashinyan and Erdogan discussed peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying it could open new opportunities for economic and regional cooperation across the South Caucasus. They also highlighted plans to reopen transportation links and move ahead with the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, known as TRIPP.

Earlier Wednesday, Pashinyan said Armenia expects the project to establish rail links with Azerbaijan and eventually Turkey, connecting Armenia more closely with regional and international trade routes.

The meeting comes as Yerevan and Ankara continue a normalization process launched in late 2021. Turkey closed its land border with Armenia in 1993, and the two countries have yet to establish full diplomatic relations despite a series of high-level meetings and negotiations in recent years.

According to the Turkish side, Erdogan also welcomed growing cooperation between Armenia and Turkey in international forums and invited Pashinyan to attend the COP31 climate summit, which Turkey is set to host.

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