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Fourteen years ago this month, a media bus tour was organized to foster dialogue between Turkiye and Armenia. Journalists from both countries traveled together across the two nations with the aim of breaking down prejudices and creating space for dialogue. I was among the journalists who joined the tour, which began in Istanbul and ended in Yerevan. That two-week tour played a significant role in shaping my understanding of why Turkish-Armenian normalization matters and why people-to-people engagement is so important.
Looking at today’s momentum toward normalization between the two countries, developments that once seemed unimaginable are becoming reality. This week, Ankara announced that bureaucratic preparations for the launch of direct trade with Armenia had been completed and that work toward reopening the border between the two states was still ongoing. Since 1993, when the border was closed, direct trade has been suspended, pushing Yerevan into heavy dependence on Russia and Iran — both of which are currently engaged in wars.
Turkiye’s move was, therefore, welcomed by Yerevan. This decision is significant not only from the perspective of expanding trade and promoting economic connectivity, but also as a strong signal of political will aimed at removing the barriers that have long hindered peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus.
