A group of Turkish journalists visited Gyumri after participating in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan and the “Yerevan Dialogue” forum, where they explored the prospects of reopening the Gyumri-Kars railway, according to Ermenihaber.am.

During their visit, the journalists toured the railway area and discussed the importance of reopening the Armenia-Turkey border crossing.

At the Armenian-Turkish border, the journalists met with Levon Barseghyan, head of the Gyumri-based Asparez Journalists’ Association, to discuss the potential impact of reopening the border.

Barseghyan noted that the Akhurik railway station was part of the Cold War-era railway network and serves as Armenia’s last railway point before Turkey, as well as the final station on the route leading toward Europe. According to him, the railway could become part of the so-called Middle Corridor connecting Asia and Europe.

He also recalled that the route had operated during the Soviet period and remained open for about a year in 1992-1993.

According to Barseghyan, reopening the border could significantly boost trade and improve relations between Armenia and Turkey. He added that such a move would benefit not only the two neighboring countries but also the wider region.