The Margara checkpoint will reopen from March 21 to March 31 for humanitarian aid to Syria. This follows improving Armenia-Turkey relations and concerns for ethnic minorities in Syria post-civil war. Earlier, the checkpoint was reopened in February 2023 after a 30-year closure for earthquake aid.
The Armenian government has announced the temporary reopening of the Margara checkpoint between Armenia and Turkey from March 21 to March 31, facilitating the transportation of humanitarian aid to Syria. This decision follows discussions between Armenian and Syrian officials. Prior to the Syrian Civil War in 2011, approximately 100,000 Armenians resided in Syria, mainly in Aleppo.
Concerns have arisen regarding the safety of Syria’s ethnic minorities after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, leading to fears of persecution. The Armenian government stated that this reopening would enable quicker and cost-effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to Syria.
The Margara checkpoint was previously reopened in February 2023, after being closed for 30 years, to aid Turkish regions affected by earthquakes. The closure of the border by Turkey in 1993 was a result of an embargo linked to Armenia’s presence in Azerbaijani territory during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Recent months have shown a warming in Armenia-Turkey relations. In March, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in a groundbreaking interview with Turkish journalists, highlighting the emergence of ‘very direct dialogue’ between the two nations. He expressed optimism regarding future diplomatic relations, border reopening for rail and road transport, and the potential for direct business connections.
In summary, the Margara checkpoint’s temporary reopening symbolises a notable step toward improved relationships between Armenia and Turkey, coinciding with a humanitarian response to the needs of Syria. The maturation of diplomatic dialogues between the two nations raises hopes for enhanced cooperative efforts in the future.
Original Source: oc-media.org
