Inan Akgun Alp, a Kars lawmaker from Turkey’s opposition Republican People’s Party, CHP, visited the historic archaeological site of Ani.
After visiting the Turkish-Armenian border, Alp addressed ongoing regional developments, saying the continuing normalization processes among Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia have underscored the importance of Turkey becoming a security hub, Factor.am reports, citing Turkish media.
The lawmaker also stressed the need to resolve existing issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia through lasting peace.
“As you know, the ancient city of Ani was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2016. In front of us, on the other side of the water, is Armenian territory. The bridge you see is the historic Silk Road bridge, which we hope will become a ‘Bridge of Peace.’ We demand that the existing issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia be resolved through lasting peace, that Turkey become a security zone and that border trade between us and Armenia resume,” he said.
Alp added that Kars residents want these efforts toward regional normalization to produce positive results.
Yerevan and Ankara issued statements in December 2021 expressing their readiness to take steps toward normalizing relations. In 2022, representatives of the two countries agreed in Vienna to open the border to citizens of third countries and begin direct air cargo transportation. However, these agreements have yet to be implemented in practice.
In September 2025, Serdar Kilic visited Armenia. Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said the sides discussed steps to implement the agreements reached on July 1, 2022, and agreed to accelerate the process.
