Türkiye eases trade restrictions with Armenia

On Wednesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced the easing of customs restrictions on trade with Armenia, allowing direct designation of country of origin and final destination for goods. This move marks a potential step toward normalizing relations between the two nations, which have lacked formal diplomatic ties and maintained a closed border since 1993. The border was originally shut by Turkey in 1993 during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to support Azerbaijan. Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan welcomed the decision, citing its importance for regional economic connectivity and potential peace. The countries have been engaged in ongoing negotiations to reopen the 311-kilometer border and recently signed a memorandum to restore the historic Ani Bridge on May 4. Relations remain historically strained due to the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces during World War One, which Armenia classifies as genocide. Despite these long-standing tensions, both parties are currently seeking to restore transit and trade routes.