For the first time, Turkey and Armenia want to permanently reopen their borders. In 1993, Turkey unilaterally closed its border with Armenia. However, the reopening is not for everyone for now.

According to information from Yerevan, Armenia and Turkey want to permanently reopen their borders for the first time in 30 years – but initially only for third-country nationals and diplomats. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirsoyan said on Friday that despite their conflicts, Yerevan and Ankara have agreed to re-allow land border traffic until the start of the tourist season.

There is already air traffic between Armenia and Turkey. Turkey first opened the border in February when Armenia sent humanitarian aid and workers in the wake of the earthquake in the country.

Turkey unilaterally closed its land border in 1993 in solidarity with its sister state, Azerbaijan. This meant serious economic problems for Armenia, which is still in a bloody conflict with Azerbaijan over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The relationship between Ankara and Yerevan is quite tense. However, the two neighbors have resumed diplomatic contacts since the end of 2021. Relations between the two countries are also strained due to the deportation of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire more than 100 years ago.