On 16 June, following the meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan and Deputy Foreign Minister of Türkiye Berris Ekinci, June Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Türkiye on 20 for a “working visit” and was received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe Working Office. The Turkish Minister of Foreign Hakan Fidan and the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan were also present at the meeting.[1]

As it is known, Pashinyan had attended the presidential ceremony of Erdoğan in 2023. Afterwards, the leaders met on various occasions at international summits and held telephone conversations from time to time. Most recently, they  met face to face at the European Political Community summit held in Tirana in May 2025. Although this was not Pashinyan's first visit to Türkiye, it carries significance as it was the first official visit of Armenia's senior state representative to Türkiye.

Pashinyan's visit carries importance for the ongoing normalization process. Although the process, which started with the appointment of mutual special representatives in 2022, has lost pace from time to time with the impact of regional developments, the official visit was an indicator of the determination to continue the process.

The visit is not only relevant in terms of bilateral relations, but is also strategically significant with regards to the Southern Caucasus’ regional stability. The efforts towards normalization between the two sides are not limited to improving bilateral relations, as they can also be perceived as part of a more extensive strategic vision, such as regional peace, economic integration, and the opening of transportation corridors. Whether or not the new steps to be taken between Türkiye and Armenia at the level of diplomatic representation will lead to concrete developments such as the opening of the borders or the resumption of trade will also determine the progress of the process.

In conclusion, Pashinyan's working visit to Türkiye was an indication that the normalization process has taken a step forward. The finalization of this process is undoubtedly directly linked to the establishment of peace and stability in the region, in other words, to Armenia signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan as soon as possible.

*Photograph: Anadolu Ajansı