A cow that fled from Turkey to Armenia across the Akhurian River has returned home after the interference from the authorities, the Turkish website BGN News reports noting that both countries have no official diplomatic relations, this bovine diplomacy bringing Turkey and Armenia one step closer.

The incident occurred on June 29 at the Arpaçay district of Turkey’s northwestern border province of Kars. A cow left its herd and fled after a shepherd beat it. Leaping into the river, the cow began to struggle against the water’s strong current. It was eventually rescued by Armenian border troops.

When shepherd told the owner, Engin Karadağ, of this incident late that evening, the latter got in touch with the nearby Digor District Governor’s office. Digor District Governor İsa Bolat in turn got in touch with Armenian officials at the border requesting to return the cow.

“The diplomatic contact was fruitful and the Armenian side agreed to return the animal,” the newspaper writes.  

Armenian troops brought the cow to the bank of the river with a rope tied around its neck, but the cow refused to cross it of its own volition. Instead, the Armenians decided to toss the rope towards the Turkish bank of the river while the cow’s owner jumped into the water and pulled her back to his side.