PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey and Armenia have completed preparatory procedures related to the launch of direct trade, Turkish diplomat Oncu Keceli wrote on X.

He noted that technical and bureaucratic work related to opening the border is still ongoing, Sputnik Armenia reported.

"As part of the confidence-building measures adopted within the normalization process with Armenia that has continued since 2022, bureaucratic preparations for the launch of direct trade between our country and Armenia were completed as of May 11, 2026. The technical and bureaucratic work necessary for opening the common border between the two countries continues," the Turkish diplomat wrote.

On May 12, Armenian Prime Minister and Civil Contract party candidate Nikol Pashinyan clarified remarks made by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during a campaign event in Yerevan's Shengavit district.

Pashinyan said that when exporting goods from Turkey to Armenia, Armenia will now be indicated as the destination country.

Earlier, Mirzoyan had approached Pashinyan during the campaign and whispered in his ear: "The Turks are opening today, let's make a 'Welcome' text." Since the prime minister was speaking through a loudspeaker, the minister's words were also heard during the live broadcast.

Later, journalists asked Mirzoyan what he had told Pashinyan, to which the minister responded: "They will open it, and we'll understand." He also clarified that he was not referring to the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border.

Source: PanArmenian.Net