Radio Netherlands, Netherlands
Sept 6 2008

Armenia and Turkey want to improve relations

Published: Saturday 06 September 2008 20:22 UTC
Last updated: Saturday 06 September 2008 20:30 UTC

After a meeting in the Armenian capital Jerevan, Armenian President
Serge Sarkissian and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gül have said
they want to improve relations between the two countries.

President Gül has now left Armenia. This was the first time a Turkish
head of state has visited the former Soviet Union republic, since its
independence in 1991. There are no diplomatic relations between the
two countries and the border is closed. A qualifying match for the
World Cup between Armenia and Turkey provided an opportunity for
President Sarkissian to invite President Gül to his country. Turkey
won 2-nil. A return invitation was extended for the next match between
the two countries.

Relations between Armenia and Turkey are strained because of the
deaths during and after the First World War of up to 1.5 million
Armenians, who were killed or starved to death during mass
deportations by the Ottoman Turks. Ankara denies that a genocide took
place.