IRIA News

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Istanbul on June 20, 2025, for a working visit to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The highly symbolic encounter, held at the historic Dolmabahce Palace, marks one of the highest-level contacts between Armenia and Turkey since their relations collapsed in the early 1990s.

Pashinyan, who described the trip as a “historic” step, noted that he and Erdogan discussed the normalization process of bilateral relations and shared perspectives on broader regional development. “The parties also exchanged views on regional development issues and emphasized the importance of sustainable dialogue,” Pashinyan wrote on X.

The face-to-face meeting between the two leaders marked a cautious yet meaningful attempt to re-engage after decades of diplomatic freeze and mutual suspicion. Pashinyan’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, confirmed on Facebook that the visit was taking place at Erdogan’s invitation, a gesture that underlines the recent thaw in relations.

A history of hostility

Armenia and Turkey share a long and troubled history. The two nations have never established formal diplomatic relations, and their shared border has been sealed since 1993, following Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

At the heart of the discord is the killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I, which Yerevan and many international scholars recognize as a genocide. Ankara, however, disputes the label, maintaining that the deaths occurred in the context of a civil conflict, not a premeditated campaign of extermination.

The lack of consensus on this issue has long been a major stumbling block to reconciliation. Furthermore, Turkey’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan, especially during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, has exacerbated tensions with Armenia.

Peace efforts and geopolitical context

Despite the fraught history, recent regional developments have provided a narrow window of opportunity for engagement. An official from Armenia’s Foreign Ministry told the press that the leaders discussed efforts to finalize a comprehensive peace treaty, as well as regional security concerns, including the ongoing instability resulting from the Iran-Israel conflict.

The timing of the visit is especially significant. Just a day before Pashinyan’s arrival, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was also in Turkey for talks with Erdogan. During their meeting, Aliyev hailed the Turkish-Azerbaijani partnership as “a significant factor, not only regionally but also globally.” Erdogan, for his part, reiterated Turkey’s commitment to “the establishment of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

Baku and Yerevan reached a preliminary agreement on the text of a peace deal in March 2025. However, the final signing has been delayed amid new conditions set by Azerbaijan, including calls for amendments to Armenia’s constitution, which Baku views as incompatible with the peace process.

The presence of both Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Turkey within such a short timeframe has raised speculation that Ankara could be positioning itself as a mediator in the long-awaited peace process, or at least as a bridge for facilitating confidence-building measures between its two estranged neighbors.

Had in-depth exchange with President @RTErdogan in Istanbul. Discussed the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process, regional developments, and the importance of sustained dialogue.

Armenia remains committed to building peace and stability in our region. pic.twitter.com/6tytLWMfzB

— Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) June 20, 2025

Challenges and prospects

While the meeting in Istanbul is being hailed as a step forward, analysts caution that any normalization process will be long and fraught with political risks. Both Erdogan and Pashinyan face domestic constituencies with deep-seated distrust of the other side.

In Turkey, nationalist sentiments continue to frame Armenia as a historical adversary, while in Armenia, there remains widespread skepticism about Turkey’s intentions, especially considering its military and diplomatic support for Azerbaijan.

Nonetheless, some signs point to a changing calculus. In recent years, Armenia has shown a willingness to diversify its foreign policy, lessening its dependence on traditional allies like Russia and exploring closer ties with Western powers and regional neighbors.

Pashinyan’s administration has also sent signals that it is ready to address difficult issues with Turkey directly, provided there is mutual respect and political will. The Armenian government’s decision to respond positively to Erdoğan’s invitation reflects a growing recognition in Yerevan that engagement may offer more sustainable benefits than isolation.

Regional implications

This renewed dialogue comes at a time when regional alliances are shifting, and new security dynamics are emerging in the wake of conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The South Caucasus, long seen as a geopolitical crossroads, is once again drawing international attention as powers like Russia, the EU, the U.S., and China vie for influence.

For Turkey, better ties with Armenia could enhance its image as a regional stabilizer and allow it to play a more active role in shaping the post-conflict architecture in the Caucasus. For Armenia, opening a dialogue with Turkey could ease its geographic isolation and potentially open new trade routes and economic opportunities, especially if the closed border is eventually reopened.

Although no immediate breakthroughs were announced following Friday’s meeting, the symbolism of the event itself cannot be understated. A direct, public meeting between the Armenian and Turkish leaders represents a significant break from the past.