Business representatives from Türkiye and Armenia gathered in the eastern Turkish province of Kars on Tuesday for talks aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and supporting the ongoing normalisation process between the two countries.
The “Türkiye-Armenia Business People Meeting”, hosted by the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KATSO), brought together officials, chamber representatives and businesspeople from both countries to discuss trade, industry, logistics, tourism and regional connectivity.
Among those attending were Deputy Director General for the Caucasus at Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry Ayse Uzer, Armenian Foreign Minister adviser Hayk Darbinyan, KATSO Chairman Kadir Bozan and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) board member Saim Ozakalın.
Speaking at the meeting, Uzer described the gathering as another “historic threshold” in relations between Türkiye and Armenia, stressing the importance of business representatives from both countries coming together at this level.
She said recent diplomatic contacts between Ankara and Yerevan reflected a shared commitment to improving relations and regional stability.
“These steps will contribute not only to the prosperity and stability of the two countries, but also to the wider South Caucasus and Eurasian region,” Uzer said.
Darbinyan said Türkiye and Armenia had “great opportunities” for industrial and commercial cooperation, highlighting the potential for direct railway trade between the neighbouring countries.
He added that improving trade links could help expand commercial access towards Europe and deepen ties between the business communities of both countries.
Bozan said participants had gathered not only for an economic forum, but also to discuss the future of the region and lay the foundations for long-term cooperation.
“Today, competition in the world is no longer only between countries, but between regions. Therefore, we should see each other not as rivals, but as complementary economic partners,” he said.
The meeting comes amid broader efforts by Ankara and Yerevan to normalise relations, including discussions on reopening transportation routes and restoring railway connections.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also discussed bilateral ties and regional developments during a phone call on Monday, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
During the call, Erdogan said the normalisation process was continuing through steps aimed at launching direct trade between the two countries.
Following the speeches, the meeting continued with bilateral talks between Turkish and Armenian business representatives on potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
