ARMENIA PRESIDENT HOPES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS WITH TURKEY

ARKA
Aug 28, 2008

YEREVAN, August 28. /ARKA/. Armenian President Serge Sargsyan
reiterated invitation to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul for
FIFA qualifier between Armenian and Turkish nationals in Yerevan.

In an interview with Radical Newspaper, Sargsyan said that he attaches
great importance to Gul’s visit, especially taking into account the
lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the closed
border, RIA Novosti reports.

Asked whether he believes that closed talks with Turkey can produce
effect, said "he wouldn’t welcome them, if didn’t hope".

Sargsyan said that recent developments give grounds for thinking that
the two nations’ leaders are preparing important decisions.

"These will be uneasy decisions, and they won’t get full approval in
Armenia and Turkey. But I think that good decisions will be supported
by the majority in both countries", the Armenian president said.

He said he doesn’t view Armenian Genocide recognition by Ankara as
necessary condition for establishing diplomatic ties between the
two countries.

The Turkish president is still thinking over the invitation.

He said he hasn’t made final decision yet.

"We are considering the matter – whether this visit will be useful
or not", Gul said in his interview to Turkish NTV TV Company.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress