Turkey Lifts Direct Trade Restriction with Armenia, Marking a Symbolic Step Toward Normalization

On Wednesday, Turkey announced that shipments between Turkey and Armenia may now list the true origin or destination, ending a rule that forced goods to be routed through a third country. The change follows measures begun in late 2021 and removes a long-standing trade barrier.

Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve ties

Turkey and Armenia have no formal diplomatic ties and have kept their border closed since 1993, when Ankara sealed it in solidarity with Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The 1915 Armenian deaths, deemed genocide by scholars but denied by Turkey, remain a dispute. In late 2021 both appointed envoys; in October 2022 President Erdogan met Prime Minister Pashinyan in Prague, signaling willingness to engage.

Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve tiesAssociated Press

Keceli said the decision aims to strengthen lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus and pledged continued Turkish contribution to regional economic development. Badalyan described the measure as an important step toward full, normalized relations, potentially leading to border reopening and diplomatic ties.

Associated Press

Turkish officials reject the term ‘genocide’ for the 1915 deaths, claiming inflated casualty figures and civil unrest causes. Armenian officials and many scholars maintain the events constitute genocide, underscoring a deep mistrust that hampers reconciliation.

Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve ties

Sources disagree on whether the 1915 deaths constitute genocide—historians affirm the label, while the Turkish government denies it. Trade volume data and a concrete timeline for a full border opening are not provided.

Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve ties

• “In the light of the historic opportunity seized to strengthen lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, Türkiye 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,” — Oncu Keceli, Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Associated Press

• “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-Turkey border and the establishment of diplomatic relations,” — Ani Badalyan, Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

Associated Press

• “Turkey vehemently rejects the label, conceding many died in that era but insisting the death toll is inflated and the deaths resulted from civil unrest.” — Turkish officials (statement)

Associated Press

• “In 2020, Turkey strongly backed Azerbaijan in its six-week conflict with ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia over Karabakh, which resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of a significant part of the region and areas around it.” — Source summary (AP)

Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve ties

Turkish officials say technical and bureaucratic work on opening the shared border continues, with formal negotiations on protocols and a possible comprehensive peace and trade agreement expected later in 2024.

Turkey removes a restriction on direct trade with Armenia to improve ties