Turkey and Armenia Ease Visa Requirements: Progress or Precondition?

Turkey and Armenia have agreed to simplify visa procedures for diplomatic passport holders, effective January 1, 2026. The announcement represents the latest development in normalization talks that began in 2021, as both countries explore steps toward reconciliation and potentially reopening their joint border—closed since the 1990s.

However, significant obstacles remain. Turkey continues to deny the Armenian Genocide—the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians beginning in 1915—a historical reality recognized by scholars worldwide. Turkey also maintains its alliance with Azerbaijan and supported Azerbaijani military operations against Armenia in 2020 and 2023.

The normalization process raises critical questions: Will visa facilitation lead to genuine reconciliation, or does it require Armenia to compromise on genocide recognition and territorial sovereignty? As these talks progress, monitoring Turkey’s actions—not just diplomatic gestures—remains essential.

Read the full article: Turkey and Armenia ease visa requirements as part of efforts to normalize ties (Associated Press)