US HAILS GUL’S DECISION TO VISIT TO ARMENIA

Today’s Zaman
Sept 4 2008
Turkey

The United States on Thursday lauded a visit to be paid by Turkish
President Abdullah Gul to Armenia, reported the Anatolia news agency.

Mark Toner, spokesman for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
of the US Department of State, said the United States welcomed Gul’s
acceptance an invitation of Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan to
watch a World Cup qualifier in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Toner said the United States appreciated the courage of the two
presidents to take steps to foster regional peace and prosperity. The
spokesman expressed hope that the historic meeting would be a step
toward the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Sarksyan had invited Gul to watch a World Cup qualifier to be
played between the national teams of Turkey and Armenia in Yerevan
on Saturday.

A statement released by Gul’s office on Wednesday indicated that the
president had accepted the invitation.