Armenia sees a “historic opportunity” to accelerate the normalization process with Türkiye.

“It is time to move forward in leaps in the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process,” Armenia’s Special Representative for Normalization with Türkiye and Vice Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan said at a panel discussion during the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum.

He noted that the process began in early 2022 together with Türkiye’s Special Representative Serdar Kılıç, and that some progress has already been achieved during this period.

“It is not the case that nothing has happened. Yerevan–Istanbul flights have been restored, and since this year Turkish Airlines has also started operating flights to Yerevan. Their expansion is being discussed,” Rubinyan said.

He also stressed that the sides have opened the possibility of air transit.

Rubinyan recalled that a joint protocol has also been signed on the restoration of the historic Ani Bridge.

At the same time, he noted that the Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization process is currently more advanced than the Armenia–Türkiye track.

“This is good, but we have a historic opportunity to achieve greater progress in the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process,” he said.

Rubinyan also referred to the broader regional situation, noting that new realities are emerging in the South Caucasus.

He highlighted that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan have already taken shape.