Being among the first countries recognizing the independence of Armenia (16 December 1991) Turkey extended humanitarian aid to Armenia as it faced economic difficulties in the wake of its independence and  actively exerted efforts towards Armenia’s integration with regional and Euro-Atlantic institutions. However, conditions conducive to Turkey’s establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia have not thus far materialized.

Turkey wishes to normalize its relations with Armenia in the hope that this would help  the creation of comprehensive peace and cooperation  in the Southern Caucasus, thus contributing to regional stability. With this understanding, Turkey has unilaterally put into practice some confidence building measures. In April 2005 Prime Minister Mr. Erdogan, in a letter addressed to the then President of Armenia Mr. Kocharyan issued a call for establishing a Commission (Joint History Commission) comprising of Turkish and Armenian historians and other experts, which would scientifically investigate the events and developments of 1915  by going through the archives of not only  Turkey and Armenia but also that of third countries and consecutively render public the finding of the commission.

In accordance with the political  will  for solving our bilateral issues and establishing normal and good-neighbourly relations with Armenia, the process which commenced and carried out with the facilitation of Switzerland has entered a new phase with the signing the Protocols on “Establishment of Diplomatic Relations” and “Development of Bilateral Relations” on 10 October 2010. The Protocols, upon signature, were submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly for ratification.