IRIA News

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Turkiye has lifted restrictions on direct trade with Armenia in what officials described as another step toward improving relations between the two neighboring countries after decades of tensions and closed borders.

Under the new arrangement announced on May 13, 2026, goods shipped between Turkiye and Armenia through a third country can now officially list Turkiye or Armenia as the final destination or point of origin. The move removes a previous restriction that prevented such direct designation in trade documentation.

The decision was announced by Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli, who said the measure reflects ongoing efforts to support regional stability and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus.

“In the light of the historic opportunity seized to strengthen lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, Turkiye will continue to contribute to the development of economic relations in the region and to further advancing cooperation for the benefit of all countries and peoples of the region,” Keceli said in a statement posted on X.

Armenia welcomed the development, describing it as a meaningful move toward broader normalization between the two countries.

We welcome Türkiye's decision to lift the bans on bilateral trade with Armenia, which is another outcome of the normalization process of relations between #Armenia & #Türkiye.

This decision is significant from the perspective of expanding trade & ties between the business…

— Ani Badalyan, 🇦🇲 MFA Spokesperson (@ArmSpoxMFA) May 13, 2026

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said the decision could help pave the way for more substantial diplomatic progress.

“We would like to emphasize that this is an important step toward the establishment of full and normalized relations between the two countries, which could logically continue through the opening of the Armenia-Turkiye border and the establishment of diplomatic relations,” Badalyan wrote on X.

Border Closed Since 1993

Turkiye and Armenia do not currently have formal diplomatic relations, and their shared border has remained closed since 1993. Ankara closed the border in solidarity with Azerbaijan during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Karabakh region, internationally known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkiye has remained one of Azerbaijan’s closest allies politically and militarily, and relations between Ankara and Yerevan have long been shaped by regional disputes and broader historical disagreements.

Despite this, both sides agreed in late 2021 to begin a normalization process and appointed special envoys to explore ways to improve relations and potentially reopen the border.

The talks have already produced several limited but symbolic outcomes, including the resumption of direct commercial flights between the two countries and the easing of certain visa restrictions. Keceli also confirmed that technical and bureaucratic work related to reopening the border remains ongoing.

Regional Dynamics to Shape Relations

The normalization effort comes amid broader geopolitical shifts in the South Caucasus following the 2020 conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

During the six-week war, Turkiye openly backed Azerbaijan, providing strong political support and military cooperation. Azerbaijan regained control over significant territories in and around Karabakh during the conflict.

Azerbaijan also used Turkish-made military equipment, including combat drones, which played a major role during the fighting. The conflict significantly altered the regional balance and created new discussions about transport links, economic integration, and diplomatic normalization across the South Caucasus.

Analysts have increasingly viewed improved Turkey-Armenia ties as part of a wider regional effort to reduce tensions and expand trade connectivity between neighboring states.

While major political differences remain, recent steps by both governments suggest a gradual willingness to maintain dialogue and expand practical cooperation in areas such as transportation, trade, and border procedures.

Although the latest trade measure may appear technical, officials on both sides presented it as a symbolic sign of growing communication between Ankara and Yerevan.

The ability to directly identify Turkiye or Armenia in shipping documents simplifies certain trade procedures and signals a small but noticeable easing of restrictions that have existed for decades. The broader significance lies less in the trade volume itself and more in what the move represents politically.

The reopening of borders and establishment of formal diplomatic relations remain among the biggest unresolved issues between the two countries. However, the continuation of talks, combined with incremental agreements such as direct flights and trade facilitation measures, indicates that both sides are still pursuing a cautious normalization process.

The South Caucasus remains a strategically sensitive region shaped by competing regional interests, historical disputes, and security concerns. Still, Wednesday’s announcement was widely seen as another indication that Turkiye and Armenia are continuing efforts to slowly rebuild communication after years of frozen relations.