Bridging perspectives: The Armenia–Türkiye Media Bus Tour concludes
In October, journalists and media professionals from Armenia and Türkiye traveled together as part of the Armenia–Türkiye Media Bus Tour. The initiative was organised within the framework of the European Union-supported programme “Support to Armenia–Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages,” implemented by a consortium comprising Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA), the Hrant Dink Foundation (HDF), and the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV).
Highlighting the significance of the project, the EU Delegation to Armenia said in a Facebook post:
“The EU Delegation is delighted to support the Armenia–Türkiye Media Bus Tour, bringing together journalists from both countries to build bridges, foster open dialogue, and advance regional normalisation.”
Beginning on October 15, the joint media tour carried participants across Türkiye—exploring media newsrooms, historic cultural sites, and key business hubs in Istanbul, İzmir, and Diyarbakır—before crossing into Armenia to experience the realities, community perspectives, and cross-border potential on the other side of the boundary.
While the first leg of the trip allowed participants to gain valuable insight into Türkiye’s industrial, cultural, and media landscape, the journey culminated in Armenia, where the delegation engaged directly with local organisations, policymakers, and regional developments.
The Armenian portion of the tour served as a key platform for high-level dialogue on regional integration and cross-border cooperation. The delegation’s primary stop in Armenia was hosted by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), where journalists met with Vassilis Maragos, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, along with representatives from the Delegation and EPF partner organisations.
During the session, journalists engaged in open discussions regarding the potential opening of the Armenia–Türkiye land border, the European Union’s ongoing role in supporting regional normalization, as well as future prospects for economic and civil society cooperation.
In Yerevan, the group attended the COP17 conference, visiting the pavilion of consortium partner Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) alongside other Green Zone exhibitions, marking the official wrap-up of the joint itinerary.
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