The Turkish Vice President’s visit to Yerevan this week marked a “turning point” in bilateral ties, Türkiye’s special envoy for normalisation with Armenia has said.
Serdar Kılıç said the visit by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz - the first of its kind since 2008 - demonstrated “how far Türkiye-Armenia relations have come”.
“A vice president of Türkiye came to Yerevan for a conference, was warmly received, and held important meetings,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“It was a significant visit and a turning point,” he added.
Kılıç made the remarks on the sidelines of the two-day Yerevan Dialogue 2026 conference, currently under way in the Armenian capital.
On Monday, Yılmaz travelled to Armenia to attend a major European summit, becoming the highest-ranking Turkish official to visit the country since former president Abdullah Gül in 2008.
During the visit, Yılmaz met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, after which an agreement was signed to jointly restore an ancient bridge located on the Türkiye-Armenia border.
The agreement was signed by Kılıç and his Armenian counterpart, Ruben Rubinyan.
In a subsequent social media post, Yılmaz said he and Pashinyan had discussed bilateral ties, as well as potential joint initiatives in transport, customs, energy and digital infrastructure.
He also described the bridge agreement as a sign of “concrete cooperation” between the two countries that would contribute to building “lasting peace and an environment of trust.”
The Türkiye-Armenia normalisation process was launched in 2022 with the aim of restoring bilateral ties after decades of mutual animosity.
“If someone had told us in January 2022 that we would reach this point today, no one would have believed it,” Kılıç said.
He added: “In a very short time, we have taken significant steps.”
Massive crowds are gathering in the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's slain former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as ...
Pakistan is seeking fresh Turkish investment after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to deepen economic coopera...
Burglars have stolen jewellery worth several million euros in a lightning raid on the Musée Lalique in eastern France, less than a year after a high-...
Massive crowds are gathering in the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's slain former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as part of a week-long farewell. His son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to make a public appearance.
Burglars have stolen jewellery worth several million euros in a lightning raid on the Musée Lalique in eastern France, less than a year after a high-profile theft at the Louvre Museum.
The 30 June edition of AnewZ's Daybreak explored the growing strategic importance of the Middle Corridor, focusing on Georgia's deepening partnership with Kazakhstan and the wider effort to strengthen connectivity between Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
The 30 June edition of AnewZ's Prime Time explored the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., as conflicting statements about possible talks in Doha fuelled uncertainty over the future of negotiations.
The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to the country's information ministry, as rescue teams continue searching affected areas and survivors face an uncertain recovery.
Mexico's national football team has returned luxury Rolex watches gifted by American content creator Stevewilldoit after concerns that they could conflict with FIFA's ethics rules.
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
Georgia has confirmed it will retain sole ownership of the long-delayed Anaklia deep-sea port under a "Landlord" model, while inviting international partners to invest in and operate terminals as interest grows from China, Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
Pakistan is seeking fresh Turkish investment after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to deepen economic cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion.
China has launched a new direct rail freight route to Turkmenistan, expanding its transport links with Central Asia as trade and investment across the region continue to grow. The service will carry Chinese industrial and consumer goods to the Caspian region.
More than 100 people were detained in Ankara on Sunday (5 July) after taking part in an anti-NATO protest organised by the Communist Party of Türkiye (TKP), according to the party.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment