Türkiye calls for Azerbaijan-Armenia peace treaty, highlights normalization steps with Yerevan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasized the normalization process with Armenia while calling for the signing of a peace agreement between Yerevan and Azerbaijan.

The evaluations were made by Fidan during a joint press conference following the 10th Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia Tripartite Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Istanbul. Highlighting tripartite cooperation, Fidan emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the South Caucasus. He called for a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while also pointing to the significance of the ongoing normalization process between Türkiye and Armenia.

Hosted by Foreign Minister Fidan, the tripartite meeting was attended by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili. Following the meeting, which lasted approximately one hour, the ministers held a joint press conference. Fidan, Botchorishvili, and Bayramov subsequently signed the Istanbul Declaration.

The backbone of Middle Corridor cooperation

During the joint press conference, Fidan emphasized the critical importance of cooperation in the South Caucasus. He stated that the tripartite mechanism between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia serves as a guarantee of peace and stability in the region, adding: “The Middle Corridor has become one of the strategic backbones of our tripartite cooperation.”

Pointing out that the world is currently passing through a period of geopolitical fractures in various regions, Fidan said: “Today, as three countries, we have reaffirmed our common will regarding the future of our region, our mutual trust, and the joint vision we have built together. The stronger the cooperation between our countries becomes, the more secure, prosperous, and stable the South Caucasus will be.”

He stated that this cooperation paves the way for peace, stability, and energy supply security through connectivity across a broad geography stretching from Europe to Asia.

In this context, Fidan pointed to the significance of the Middle Corridor:

“Our goal from now on is to build a region that is even more integrated in terms of energy, transport, and communication infrastructure. This integration is also of strategic importance for establishing a more secure, faster, and more predictable transit route between Europe and Asia. The most concrete point this objective has reached today is the strengthening role of the Middle Corridor. The Middle Corridor has become one of the strategic backbones of our tripartite cooperation. In this framework, the ceremony held on the Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line on June 2, marking the line reaching its full capacity, was an important milestone. We aim to provide more added value to our region by utilizing this strategic line to the maximum extent.”

Call for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Addressing the framework of security and stability in the South Caucasus, Fidan called for a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“We support the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We demand that Azerbaijan’s legitimate concerns be addressed and that the peace agreement be signed,” Fidan said.

Emphasis on normalization with Armenia

Fidan pointed out that the normalization process Türkiye is conducting with Armenia continues, stating that “as connectivity strengthens, the social foundation of peace will also strengthen.”

Fidan described the process as follows: “The normalization process we are carrying out with Armenia continues in the same manner, in close coordination with Azerbaijan. Significant progress has also been made over the past four years. In our view, the primary opportunity and goal facing the South Caucasus is this: as the ground for peace strengthens, connectivity projects will yield even stronger results, and as connectivity strengthens, the social and economic foundations of peace will be established on firmer ground. We are determinedly continuing our efforts to reinforce this cycle, which will serve the common interest of the entire region.”

Call for diplomacy in Iran and Ukraine conflicts

Fidan also shared evaluations regarding the conflict involving Iran, stating:

“Despite this positive outlook toward establishing peace in the South Caucasus, the security environment surrounding us continues to harbor serious risks. In this context, the peace talks conducted between Iran and the US were also on our agenda at today’s meeting. It is essential to leave behind this war, which has brought our region and the world to the brink of disaster. Within this framework, we are continuing our contacts with both the US and Iran to ensure a lasting peace, while also working in close consultation with regional countries. Türkiye will continue to support diplomacy and dialogue during this critical period.”

Pointing out that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war also threatens regional security, Fidan continued:

“We view reaching peace in the Russia-Ukraine War as essential for the stability and security of our region. We believe that the diplomatic process and peace-oriented efforts must be maintained with determination. We are all watching the current stalemate on the battlefield and in the diplomatic process with concern. Unfortunately, the steps taken by the parties to turn this stalemate to their advantage are further increasing tensions on the ground. Recent attacks in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea are bitter examples demonstrating how serious the consequences of this danger can be.”