Bureaucratic preparations for the launch of direct trade between Türkiye and Armenia as part of the ongoing normalization process between the two countries have been completed, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said the preparations were finalized as of May 11 under the confidence-building measures implemented since 2022.
"The bureaucratic preparations regarding the initiation of direct trade between our country and Armenia have been completed as of May 11, 2026," Keçeli said in a statement released by the ministry.
He noted that technical and bureaucratic efforts aimed at opening the common border between the two countries are still ongoing.
Under the new regulation, the origin and final destination of goods can now be listed as Türkiye and Armenia, even though trade will continue to transit through a third country due to the lack of a functional border crossing.
"With the new regulation, it has become possible to designate 'Türkiye/Armenia' as the final destination or point of origin for goods transported from Türkiye to Armenia via a third country, and vice versa," the statement read.
Keçeli said Türkiye would continue contributing to the development of economic relations and broader regional cooperation for the benefit of all countries and peoples in the South Caucasus.
"In light of the historic opportunity seized to strengthen lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, Türkiye will continue to contribute to advancing economic relations and cooperation in the region," he added.
The latest announcement marks a new step toward the normalization of ties between Ankara and Yerevan.
Earlier this month, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz visited Armenia to attend a European Political Community summit, marking a first visit by a high-level official in nearly two decades. He also held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
During the visit, Turkish and Armenian officials signed an agreement for the joint restoration of the Ani Bridge. The bridge, dated to the 10th century, is also known as the Silk Road Bridge and is located on the Arpaçay River in the eastern Turkish province of Kars, near the Turkish-Armenian border.
His visit came at a time of gradual normalization of ties between the two countries, which is also linked to a peace process between Armenia and Türkiye's close ally, Azerbaijan.
As part of rapprochement, Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), has also launched a direct Istanbul-Yerevan line, and the first direct flight was operated in March.
The restoration of direct trade would add a new dimension to the bilateral ties and regional balances in the South Caucasus, although experts warn that normalization should be seen as a multi-dimensional and fragile process that would need more time.
