Pashinyan Meets Erdogan at Istanbul Palace Built by Armenian Architect

In a visit heavy with history and quiet tensions, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, for a working trip where he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the iconic Dolmabahce Palace — a palace designed by a famous Armenian architect, Garabet Balyan.

This visit is another chapter in the ongoing attempts to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey, two neighboring nations with a painful past and many unresolved issues. While the meeting appeared cordial on the surface, deeper symbolism and silences painted a more complex picture.

Upon his arrival at Istanbul's international airport, Pashinyan was welcomed by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci. Soon after, he paid a visit to the Holy Mother of God Armenian Cathedral, a sacred site for the Armenian community in Turkey.

However, something was notably missing: not a single member of the Armenian clergy came to greet him. This absence was striking, especially since Armenian Church leaders also stayed away from Pashinyan’s separate meeting with Armenian community members in Istanbul later that day. This silent protest by the local church leadership speaks volumes about the complicated feelings many Armenians — both in the homeland and abroad — have about Pashinyan's leadership and policies, particularly after the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh and ongoing border threats.

Later in the day, Pashinyan was hosted by Erdogan at Dolmabahce Palace — the work office of the Turkish President. This grand structure was designed in the 19th century by Garabet Balyan, a prominent Armenian architect from the Ottoman Empire. The choice of location was not random. For some, it symbolized Turkey’s historical connection to Armenians — not through war or politics, but through culture and craftsmanship. But for others, the palace setting served as an ironic backdrop for a meeting between two leaders whose countries have yet to establish full diplomatic ties.

Pashinyan was joined by a high-level delegation from Armenia, including Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan — who is also Armenia’s special representative in the normalization talks — and Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan. PM spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan and several other officials were also part of the team.

During a meeting with members of Istanbul’s Armenian community, Pashinyan shared that he plans to invite Erdogan to Armenia during the European Political Community summit, which is scheduled to take place in Yerevan in 2026. This gesture is meant to show Armenia’s willingness to keep the diplomatic door open, despite numerous disappointments over the years.

While official photos showed smiles and handshakes, many Armenians remain skeptical. Pashinyan’s government has been widely criticized for making one-sided concessions in negotiations with both Azerbaijan and Turkey — often without clear results or protections for Armenia’s national interests.

The silence of the Armenian Church in Istanbul and the muted atmosphere during the community meeting suggest a deep discomfort with how this normalization process is unfolding. There is concern that Armenia is giving up too much, too quickly, while receiving little in return — especially as threats to Armenian sovereignty and security grow louder across the region.

As of now, no official details have been released about the private conversation between Pashinyan and Erdogan. Their discussion will likely be analyzed in the coming days, especially for clues about whether Turkey plans to formally recognize Armenia’s borders or open diplomatic channels without preconditions — something Ankara has refused to do for decades.

This is a developing story. The Armenian Report will continue to follow it closely.