Pashinyan Makes Heart Gesture With Turkish Journalist, Talks Peace With Turkey and Azerbaijan at COP31 in Antalya

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan joined a Turkish journalist in making a heart-shaped hand gesture during an informal exchange at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, where the two discussed improving relations between Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

A video circulating on social media shows Pashinyan speaking with the journalist as music plays in the background. The Armenian leader asks about the song and whether it has a political meaning.

The journalist tells him it is “Kiss Kiss,” a hit by Turkish pop star Tarkan, and asks whether he knows the singer. Pashinyan says he does.

The journalist then invites Pashinyan to form a heart by joining their hands, and the prime minister agrees.

The conversation turns to the future of the region, with the journalist expressing optimism about relations between Armenia and Turkey.

“Right now we are brothers, Turkey and Armenia. We are building good relations, and we are very happy about it,” the journalist says.

He goes on to express hope that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey will work together more closely, saying cooperation would benefit people across the region.

Pashinyan responds positively.

“Yeah, we need to work on cooperation, peace and prosperity, and I think now we are on that way,” he says.

The exchange comes as Armenia and Turkey continue efforts to normalize relations after decades of diplomatic tensions. The two countries have no formal diplomatic ties, and their land border has remained closed since 1993.

Pashinyan's visit to Antalya also included talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on November 11. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional transportation links and efforts to advance normalization.

The diplomatic efforts are unfolding alongside Armenia's peace process with Azerbaijan, following years of conflict between the two South Caucasus neighbors.

Although the conversation with the Turkish journalist was informal, it reflected the growing public discussion of regional cooperation as Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan seek to improve relations.

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