Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Onciyu Keceli said that bureaucratic preparations for the launch of direct trade between Turkey and Armenia had been completed as of May 11 as part of the confidence-building measures implemented in the process of normalizing relations between the two countries since 2022.
Keçeli was quoted by Anadolu as saying that the technical and bureaucratic work to open a common border between the two countries continues.
According to him, thanks to the new rules, goods sent from Turkey to Armenia via third countries or traveling on the same route in the opposite direction can now have their final destination or departure point labeled “Armenia/Turkey.”
“In light of the historic opportunity to foster lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, Turkey will continue to contribute to the development of economic relations and further enhance cooperation for the benefit of all countries and peoples of the region,” Keceli said.
EU urged to continue work
The EU welcomed the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. As “Armenpress” reports, the statement was issued by the spokesperson of the EU diplomatic service Anita Hipper.
“The European Union warmly welcomes Turkey’s statement on the resumption of bilateral trade with Armenia. This is an important milestone in the process of normalization of relations between the two, as also demonstrated by the meeting of the bilateral working group on 28 April 2026 on the restoration of rail links between the two countries, which we welcomed. This important step has the potential to enhance trade and economic opportunities between the two countries, positively impacting the entire South Caucasus as well as the European Union. We encourage both countries to continue working together, including towards the opening of the border,” the statement said.
Armenia’s State Revenue Committee specifies that earlier Turkish supplier organizations could not specify Armenian commercial enterprises as the recipient in the export declaration submitted to the Turkish customs, and Armenia as the country of destination. As a result, goods entered Armenia through third-country intermediaries (e.g., Georgia) and were re-exported.
