Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: In a rare visit to his country’s arch-enemy Turkey, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan underlined a desire to “build peace” after a deadly quake that killed nearly 40,000 people.
The 7.8-magnitude tremor that struck last week, has been followed by a revival in the dialogue between Turkey and Armenia, Greece, along with other historical rivals.
Last weekend, the Greek foreign minister visited quake-hit regions.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 till date, Turkey and Armenia never established diplomatic ties.
Speaking on the occasion, Mirzoyan once again reaffirmed the willingness and readiness of Armenia to build peace in the region, fully normalize ties with Turkey, to abolish diplomatic relations, and fully open the border between the two countries.
Armenia sent a team of rescuers after quake
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu thanked Yerevan’s humanitarian aid and stated that Armenia had extended a “hand of friendship” to the Turkish people.
On Saturday, for the first time in 35 years, a border crossing between Armenia and Turkey was opened so that humanitarian aid could pass through.
Apart from the aid, Armenia sent a team of 28 rescuers and Cavusoglu praised them for saving a woman and a young girl.
