At the "Connectivity Agenda Platform" in Brussels, Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan and Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu met to discuss railway and highway projects between Armenia and Turkey, as well as the restoration of the historic Ani Bridge.
At the summit, which aimed to strengthen logistical links between the two neighboring countries, both sides emphasized their determination to reopen trade routes that had been active in the past. In a post on his X account, Uraloğlu stated:
“While we have initiated the necessary maintenance works on our side, we also assessed the stage the Armenian side has reached in its preparations and tender processes. We discussed the process concerning the restoration of the Historic Ani Bridge, located on the Silk Road in Kars-Ani, and considered steps that will revive one of the important traces of our shared history.”
The Minister of Transport later made statements to journalists in Brussels.
Noting that he had also met with Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan, Uraloğlu recalled that they had met previously in Turkey, in Georgia, and subsequently in Brussels.
Uraloğlu said, “First and foremost, we have railway and highway crossings that were active in the past. We are increasing our cooperation day by day in order to bring these back into operation as soon as possible. There were maintenance works that needed to be carried out on both the roads and the railways. We have begun these works on our side. The Armenian side particularly stated that certain preparations have been made, tenders have been completed, and the projects are at the stage of commencing work.”
Recalling that Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz signed an agreement regarding the restoration of the historic Ani Bridge during his visit to Yerevan last month, Uraloğlu said, “Initial discussions on this matter have been held. We would like to hold a second meeting and move immediately to the tender stage. We are truly talking about a project that will also highlight the historical connection between our two countries.”
(Source: Anadolu Agency, Public Radio of Armenia)
