EU Welcomes the Launch of Direct Trade Between Armenia and Turkey

The European Union has welcomed the announcement by Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the start of direct trade between Armenia and Turkey. This statement was made by Anita Hipper, spokesperson for the EU's diplomatic service.

"The European Union warmly welcomes Turkey's announcement of starting bilateral trade with Armenia. This is a significant development in the process of normalizing relations between them, as evidenced by the meeting of the bilateral working group held on April 28, 2026, regarding the restoration of railway communication between the two countries, which we have welcomed.

This important step can contribute to the expansion of trade and economic opportunities between the two countries, positively impacting the entire South Caucasus region as well as the European Union. We encourage both countries to continue collaborating, including on the opening of borders," the statement said.

On May 13, Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the launch of direct trade with Armenia. Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed this announcement by Turkey's foreign policy department, stating that it is an important step towards the development of full and normal relations between the two countries.

Armenia's Ministry of Economy also notified Armenian entrepreneurs that they can now engage in direct trade with Turkey without re-exports. The State Revenue Committee of Armenia also addressed the issue, clarifying that previously, Turkish supplying organizations could not list Armenian economic operators in the export declaration submitted to Turkish customs authorities as recipients, nor mention Armenia as the destination country.

As a result, goods were arriving in Armenia through intermediaries from third countries (for example, Georgia) under re-export arrangements. The State Revenue Committee clarified that now Armenian economic operators can import goods from Turkey directly in their own name, without intermediaries.