Mirzoyan: trade between Armenia and Turkey is now cleared directly at customs
- Published
- Place
- Yerevan, Armenia
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
Trade between Armenia and Turkey is now cleared directly at customs, without going through a third country, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Thursday 5 November before the parliamentary committees examining the 2027 budget. Goods still physically transit through Georgia, since the border remains closed. In his view, normalisation is advanced enough for the opening of the border and the establishment of diplomatic relations to happen “at any moment”. He cited the joint restoration of the historic Ani bridge, student exchange programmes and an Armenian-Turkish business forum: the first was held in Kars and the next will take place in Armenia in early 2027. The minister repeated Yerevan’s wish to sign and then ratify the peace treaty with Azerbaijan as soon as possible.
Analysis
Ending customs clearance through a third country is a technical but concrete step: it cuts costs and delays for companies in both countries. It does not settle the border question, closed by Ankara since 1993 in solidarity with Baku. The link between Turkish normalisation and peace with Azerbaijan therefore remains central. The next concrete test will be the business forum planned in Armenia in early 2027, which will show how interested Turkish companies really are.
Possible consequences
The foreign ministry’s budget is set to rise by about 3.4 billion drams in 2027. The next Armenian-Turkish business forum is planned in Armenia.
