“The Page of Enmity Is Closed”: Simonyan Welcomes Fidan Remarks on Türkiye–Armenia Normalization

Armenia’s National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has welcomed recent remarks by Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, using unusually direct language to signal a shift in tone toward normalization with Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Speaking to reporters, Simonyan said Armenia had “mutually closed the page of enmity” with its regional neighbors and should now focus on consolidating peace. He framed Fidan’s comments as supportive of this direction, thanking Türkiye and other regional actors for backing what he described as public demand in Armenia for stability, trade, and normalized relations.

What Triggered the Debate

Simonyan’s remarks followed public statements by Fidan addressing the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace track and the Türkiye–Armenia normalization process, alongside references to Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026. Fidan was quoted as saying that current polling suggested Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was leading and that there was support for a constructive regional agenda.

Those comments prompted domestic debate in Armenia over whether such statements amounted to foreign interference. Simonyan rejected that interpretation.

Drawing a Line on “Interference”

Simonyan argued that positive public assessments by regional officials should not automatically be treated as вмешательство in domestic politics. He noted that Armenian leaders themselves regularly make public statements about relations with neighboring countries, including Türkiye, Georgia, and Iran.

In his view, framing every external remark as interference risks freezing diplomacy at a moment when sustained signaling is required to move normalization forward.

Peace and Trade as the Reference Point

Simonyan consistently tied his message to peace and economic connectivity, including the TRIPP framework, presenting normalization as a practical agenda anchored in trade and regional integration rather than historical grievance.

By emphasizing commerce and stability, he sought to shift the discussion away from symbolism and toward outcomes that can be defended domestically.

A Clear and Positive Signal

The language Simonyan chose was deliberate. Declaring the “page of enmity” closed sets a political baseline and narrows the space for escalation. It also places responsibility on all sides to translate rhetoric into durable steps.

For Türkiye–Armenia relations, the remarks mark a rare moment of alignment in public messaging, suggesting that normalization is no longer framed as a concession but as a shared regional interest.