Normalization process between Armenia and Turkiye will yield positive  results soon - MP

ArmInfo.  The Head of the RA NA delegation to OSCE PA, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Sargis Khandanyan gave a speech at the Session titled Bridging Perspectives: Reinforcing Dialogue, Mediation, and Trust in an Era of Uncertainty of the 23rd OSCE PA Autumn Meeting.

"Madam Chair,

First of all, I would like to thank the delegation of Turkiye for  hosting us in Istanbul to congratulate on the excellent organization  of the 23rd Autumn Meeting.

Dear colleagues,

During our past few statutory meetings, we have expressed hope and  cautious optimism that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan was  within reach. Today, I'm genuinely pleased and honored to say, in  fact, for the first time in the history of this Parliamentary  Assembly that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been  established.

The historic peace declaration signed on August 8 in Washington, DC,  represents a strong and genuine commitment by both countries to  advance the peace process and finally, close the chapter of conflict.  They acknowledge the important role played by the United States and  the strong leadership of President Trump, who indeed delivered on the  very theme of our discussion today.

The Washington declaration lays a solid foundation for a new era of  good neighborly relations based on respect for sovereignty,  territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.

It also charged a way forward for addressing all the remaining  questions, including the signing and ratification of the peace  agreement between our two countries, which was initial during the  Washington summit.

Our discussions on the opening of regional communications have now  become truly practical with concrete progress toward the opening of  the "TRIPP" route within Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" initiative.  This route will benefit not only the South Caucasus region, but also  will carry a global significance by linking Central Asia with Europe.  The path ahead will require patience and care for building mutual  trust. One important confidence building step has been the closure of  the OSCE Minsk process and its related structures, following a joint  appeal by Armenia and Azerbaijan.

And finally, being here in Turkiye, I cannot help but express my  optimism that the normalization process between Armenia and Turkiye  will also yield positive results soon.  The constructive and active  political dialogue currently underway gives us hope that it will soon  translate into the institutionalization of our relations, the opening  of borders and broader cooperation.

Thank you," Sargis Khandanyan said.