TURKISH DELEGATION WILL LEAVE YEREVAN AS SOON AS THE MATCH IS OVER
arminfo
2008-09-04 17:07:00
ArmInfo. Turkish delegation will leave Yerevan as soon as the match
is over, Turkish Daily News reports.
Turkish president Gul to pay a historical visit to Armenia on Saturday
Abdullah Gul will on Saturday become the first Turkish head of state
to visit Armenia, his office said, taking an important step to restart
diplomatic relations between two neighboring countries. (UPDATED)
Gul will go to Yerevan to attend a football match between the two
countries, which do not have diplomatic relations Armenia’s President
Serge Sarkisian invited Gul last month to attend the qualifying match
for the 2010 World Cup finals to mark "a new symbolic start in the
countries’ relations". Turkish diplomats and security officials have
been in Yerevan this week making final preparations.
"A visit around this match can create a new climate of friendship
in the region," the Turkish presidency said in a statement posted on
its website.
"It is with this in mind that the president has accepted the
invitation.
"This match could lift the obstacles blocking the coming together
of two peoples who share a common history and can create a new
foundation," it said. The Turkish presidency said it hoped the visit
means "an opportunity for a better mutual understanding."
Gul will arrive in Yerevan two hours before the match and go directly
to the office of Sargsyan. The meeting of two presidents is expected
to last for one hour. The presidents are expected to discuss Karabakh
conflict and Turkey’s initiative to establish Caucasian platform.