Türkiye Links Normalization With Armenia to Final Azerbaijan‑Armenia Peace Deal
By Bosphorus News ·
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated on Tuesday that full normalization of relations with Armenia remains contingent on Yerevan first brokering a final peace deal with Azerbaijan. Speaking during the Turkish Parliament’s Planning and Budget Committee session, Fidan emphasized that Ankara’s openness toward Armenia is tied to broader regional stability.
According to Fidan, if Ankara were to move forward with normalization before a peace treaty is signed, it could remove a key incentive for Armenia to finalize a deal with Baku. “If we normalize relations at this point, we will have taken away the biggest reason for Armenia to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan… We may then face the possibility of a frozen conflict in the region,” he told lawmakers.
Fidan pointed to two unresolved issues in the draft agreement reached in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan: the status of the Zangezur Corridor (a proposed transport link through southern Armenia) and certain constitutional provisions in Armenia.
He said once these matters are settled and a final pact is signed, Türkiye is ready to reopen its border with Armenia and revive economic links.
The Turkish foreign minister also framed this conditional approach as part of a broader strategic vision: he does not want a “frozen conflict” to become the status quo in the South Caucasus. For Ankara, restoring ties with Yerevan without a durable peace in place would risk undermining long-term stability.
Anadolu Ajansı
Armenian Response
Armenia has not remained silent. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan responded to Fidan’s remarks by suggesting a different dynamic: normalization with Türkiye could actually accelerate Armenia’s peace process with Azerbaijan. According to Mirzoyan, the steps toward Ankara might bolster momentum in Baku–Yerevan talks, rather than detract from them