Forty years of diplomatic service and my deep knowledge of the region make me somewhat suspicious of external interference in the region itself. Turkish Special Representative for Turkey-Armenia Normalization Process, Serdar Kilic, stated this during the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 international forum Tuesday in the Armenian capital.

Considering historical examples in this regard, we should not allow third parties or anyone to use the strategic interests of the region for their short-term tactical goals, Kilic added.

He noted that the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project shows a very constructive approach on the part of the US, and its contribution to the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8 is very important. But, Kilic added, he can also cite other examples where external influence has not had the same contribution. Regional countries know their problems and know the solutions to their problems. And when they need help in this regard, of course, they can turn to external forces for help. For example, there may be certain economic needs that regional countries cannot meet on their own. In this sense, of course, they need external help, he said.

Kilic noted that when they were starting the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, he had made many proposals to his Armenian counterpart, and none of them were aimed at benefiting Turkey. Kilic said his main goal was to contribute to the well-being and a better future of the Armenian people. Kilic noted that he had lived among the Armenian people in Los Angeles, when he had worked there, and then in Beirut. Kilic said he and his Armenian counterpart, Ruben Rubinyan, have a mutual understanding because they are from the same culture.

Any solution to regional problems must come from the region itself. As for how we are going to ensure public support, it is all about the economy here. If people feel that transport accessibility and the projects implemented within the framework of that accessibility will contribute to improving their lives, incomes, and a better future for themselves and their families, then, of course, they will support it. But they should not overpay. Transport accessibility should not be a burden for them. But in the long run, of course, it will contribute to mutual understanding, economic development, and everything else in the region, Turkey's special representative for the normalization of relations with Armenia concluded.