Türkiye and Armenia ease visa rules for diplomatic passport holders
Türkiye and Armenia have agreed to ease visa procedures for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports, marking another step in their ongoi...
Türkiye and Armenia have agreed to ease visa procedures for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports, marking another step in their ongoing normalisation process.
In a statement on Monday, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said that from 1 January, eligible passport holders from both countries will be able to obtain free electronic visas, simplifying official travel between Ankara and Yerevan.
The move follows discussions between the two countries’ special envoys as part of efforts to rebuild ties after decades of strained relations. Both sides said the agreement reflects their shared commitment to advancing the normalisation process without preconditions, with the goal of full diplomatic normalisation.
According to Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber, the visa facilitation arrangement was detailed in a joint announcement by Ankara and Yerevan, which said the decision would make e-visas free for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports from 1 January 2026. TRT Haber also quoted the joint statement confirming that both countries had reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the normalisation process unconditionally.
Armenia and Türkiye have taken several cautious steps towards reconciliation in recent years, including the appointment of special representatives in 2021 and agreements on limited confidence-building measures. However, the shared land border between the two countries has remained closed since 1993.
Officials described the visa facilitation as a practical confidence-building measure, though broader issues, including border reopening and the establishment of full diplomatic relations, remain unresolved.
Both governments reiterated that talks would continue with the objective of achieving comprehensive normalisation between the two countries.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck offshore near Taiwan’s north-eastern county of Yilan late on Saturday, shaking buildings across the island, including in the capital Taipei, authorities said.
Brigitte Bardot, the French actress whose barefoot mambo in And God Created Woman propelled her to international fame and reshaped female sexuality on screen, has died at the age of 91, her foundation said on Sunday.
Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire and former Chelsea Football Club owner, has assembled a “top tier” legal team, including a former White House advisor, as he prepares for a legal battle in Jersey.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Sunday praised the country’s armed forces as “invincible warriors” during a year-end ceremony honouring the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, held in the coastal city of La Guaira.
Iran successfully launched three satellites on Sunday using a Russian Soyuz rocket from Russia’s Far East, marking the latest stage in growing Iran-Russia space cooperation.
The European Commission says it expects to adopt new Partnership Priorities with Azerbaijan next year, signalling readiness to update bilateral cooperation and resume talks on a new agreement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Azerbaijan fully supports the unity and internationally recognised borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
BP has announced that a seismic survey programme for the Ashrafi–Dan Ulduzu–Aypara (ADUA) project in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea will be carried out between February and April next year, according to Report.
Security has emerged as the main concern for Armenians, with nearly four in ten people citing it as the country’s most pressing problem, according to a new public opinion poll.
The water level of Lake Sevan, Armenia’s main source of drinking water, has dropped sharply over the past six months, largely due to an unusually dry autumn, officials said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment