ANKARA HOPES TO OPEN ARMENIA BORDER

Ottawa Citizen
September 2, 2009 Wednesday
Canada

Turkey said on Tuesday it hoped to open its border with long-time
foe Armenia by the end of the year under a protocol to establish
diplomatic ties, in what would end one of Europe’s most intractable
rivalries. The two countries, which have no diplomatic ties, announced
late Monday they would sign accords within six weeks under a plan to
end a century of hostility. Reopening the border and establishing ties
with Armenia would increase predominantly Muslim Turkey’s influence
in the region and aid its faltering bid to join the European Union.