Will Armenia-Turkey border open for NATO military exercises?

For the first time ever Turkish representatives will also participate in NATO's military-humanitarian exercises to be held in Armenia this September.

According to local Turkish daily Radikal it is possible that the Armenia-Turkey boarder temporarily opens so that Turkish troops and equipments are safely transported to Armenia.

Nineteen NATO member states are expected to participate in these exercises.

Azerbaijan has withdrawn its participation.

The decision to hold these military exercises in Armenia was reached unanimously by the member states of the Alliance, including Turkey. The exercises are planned to take place from September 11-17.

Diplomatic sources in Turkey say that the temporary opening of the border does not mean that the state border between Turkey and Armenia is declared as open. It will be open simply for the Turkish troops and equipments to reach the site in Armenia where the exercises will be conducted.

While the opening of the border is temporary it is expected that it will ease relations between Yerevan and Ankara.