Armenia-Turkey Checkpoint Opens for Humanitarian Aid to Syria

The Margara checkpoint between Armenia and Turkey will open temporarily from March 21 to March 31 to transport humanitarian aid to Syria. This decision follows discussions between Armenian and Syrian officials and marks an improvement in Armenia-Turkey relations. Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed hope for ongoing dialogue and further progress between the nations.

The Armenian government has announced the temporary opening of the Margara checkpoint between Armenia and Turkey from March 21 to March 31 to facilitate the transport of humanitarian aid to Syria. This decision follows a series of meetings between Armenian and Syrian officials.

Historically, prior to the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, approximately 100,000 Armenians resided in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, where 60,000 of them lived. Following the recent political developments after President Bashar al-Assad’s downfall in December 2024, there are heightened concerns regarding the safety of Syria’s ethnic minorities, with fears of potential persecution.

Armenpress reported that opening the Margara checkpoint would expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria at reduced costs. Previously, the checkpoint’s last activation occurred in February 2023 following the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake, which allowed the transport of aid to affected Turkish regions.

The Margara checkpoint was originally closed in 1993 when Turkey imposed an embargo to pressure Armenia during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. However, recent months have seen an improvement in Armenia-Turkey relations, as demonstrated by Prime Minister Pashinyan’s unprecedented interview with Turkish journalists in March, where he noted a shift toward more direct dialogue.

Pashinyan expressed optimism for future advancements, including potential diplomatic relations, the reopening of borders for rail and road transport, and the establishment of direct business ties between Armenia and Turkey.

The opening of the Margara checkpoint signifies a positive step towards enhancing humanitarian aid efforts in Syria and reflects an improvement in Armenia-Turkey relations. Through this initiative, opportunities for future diplomatic and economic collaborations may arise, fostering stability in the region.

Original Source: oc-media.org