ARMENIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION WELCOMES TURKISH PRESIDENT’S DECISION TO VISIT ARMENIA
Today’s Zaman
Sept 4 2008
Turkey
The Football Federation of Armenia has welcomed Turkish President
Abdullah Gul’s decision to visit Yerevan to attend a Sept. 6 soccer
match between the Turkish and Armenian national teams.
Football Federation of Armenia Chairman Ruben Hayrapetyan told the
Anatolia news agency that all pre-game preparation had been completed.
Hayrapetyan hailed the Turkish president’s decision to visit Armenia
to watch the game, noting, though, that there might be some circles
in Armenia that would raise objections to Gul’s trip.
Gul’s visit will constitute a significant step for the future of
relations between Turkey and Armenia, he said.
Meanwhile, many Armenian newspapers devoted space to the anticipated
visit, with most reporting that the visit was not politically
motivated.
The World Cup qualifying round match will be played at Yerevan’s
Hrazdan Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 52,000. Of these,
2,700 seats have been allocated for Turkish spectators.
Tight security measures will in place in and around the stadium. The
Turkish national soccer team will stay at the Golden Palace Hotel
outside the Yerevan city center.