Alen Simonyan Says Azerbaijan Is Blocking Armenia–Turkey Normalization While Pressuring Turkey and Advancing Its Own Talks With Armenia

Azerbaijan is hindering efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey through political pressure and lobbying, Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan said in an interview with Armenian media outlets based in Turkey.

Simonyan described what he called a “strange situation,” in which Azerbaijan continues negotiations with Armenia while effectively preventing Turkey from doing the same. He said Turkey appears constrained by its close ties with Azerbaijan.

Despite the obstacles, Simonyan said there may soon be an opportunity to reopen the Armenia-Turkey border and establish diplomatic relations, noting that both sides have made efforts toward normalization. He added that in his conversations with Turkish officials, there appear to be no direct disputes between the two countries.

He attributed the lack of progress to external lobbying, arguing that it has limited Turkey’s ability to act independently in the process.

Simonyan also addressed discussions involving a potential regional format that would include Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. He confirmed that dialogue on such cooperation has been ongoing and said it builds on an initiative he launched about two years ago.

At the time, Simonyan sent letters to the speakers of parliament in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey and later met with his counterparts in Georgia and Azerbaijan. More than a year later, he said, a Turkish official publicly introduced a similar proposal. However, Simonyan noted that talks remain limited to the parliamentary level and have not advanced to the executive branch.

He said the inter-parliamentary format could serve as a step toward broader regional cooperation, especially as delays continue in reopening borders.

Simonyan also questioned Turkey’s shifting position on opening its border with Armenia. He said Ankara had previously linked normalization to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then later to a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to Simonyan, Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated a complex draft agreement and reached consensus on 17 points, even meeting to initial the document. However, the process has yet to produce concrete results.

He said Armenia must remain engaged in regional dialogue and be prepared to negotiate directly with its neighbors despite ongoing challenges.

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