The Margara checkpoint between Armenia and Turkey will temporarily open from March 21 to March 31 for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria. This decision follows talks between Armenian and Syrian officials, addressing concerns over ethnic minorities in Syria post-Civil War and marks a notable moment in improving Armenia-Turkey relations.
The Armenian government has announced the temporary opening of the Margara checkpoint between Armenia and Turkey, scheduled from March 21 to March 31, to facilitate the transport of humanitarian aid to Syria. This decision followed discussions among Armenian and Syrian officials to address the pressing needs resulting from the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Historically, prior to the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, approximately 100,000 Armenians resided in Syria, with about 60,000 located in Aleppo. As concerns grow regarding the safety of Syria’s ethnic minorities following the political turmoil and the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, this aid initiative is particularly timely.
According to Armenpress, the opening of the Margara checkpoint is anticipated to enhance the speed and reduce the costs of delivering humanitarian assistance to Syria. This marks the second time the checkpoint has been opened after a three-decade closure; the first instance was in February 2023, when it was temporarily utilized for humanitarian aid in response to the Turkey–Syria earthquake.
The checkpoint had been closed unilaterally by Turkey in 1993 as a part of an embargo to exert pressure on Armenia during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Recently, however, relations between Armenia and Turkey have shown signs of improvement. In March, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan provided an unprecedented interview to Turkish journalists and emphasized the existence of a ‘very direct dialogue’ between the two nations, which he deemed a significant change compared to past relations.
Pashinyan expressed hope for advancing discussions that might lead to the establishment of diplomatic relations, the reopening of the border for rail and road transport, and fostering direct business connections between Armenia and Turkey.
The Margara checkpoint’s temporary reopening represents a crucial step in facilitating humanitarian aid to Syria amidst increasing concerns for the well-being of ethnic minorities in the region. In light of the historical tensions that have characterized Armenia-Turkey relations, the recent dialogue and potential advancements in diplomatic relations suggest a positive shift that could lead to a more cooperative and interconnected future.
Original Source: oc-media.org
