Earthtimes (press release)
Oct 18 2009

Obama speaks with Turkey’s Gul about Armenia progress

Washington – US President Barack Obama and Turkish President Abdullah
Gul Saturday discussed a range of regional issues in a telephone
conversation, including the evolving relations between Turkey and
Armenia, the White House said. The two men discussed "the historic
progress that is being made on normalization of relations between
Turkey and Armenia, and the importance of maintaining the momentum in
this important effort," the White House said in a statement.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols a week ago aimed at opening up
diplomatic relations, bilateral ties and their common border after
years of hostility.

On Friday, Armenia backed Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union,
saying it would serve its own interests in pursuing closer relations
with the EU.

Gul and Obama discussed the situation in Afghanistan and agreed to
work closely in the "critical weeks" ahead. Obama is in the midst of
defining a new strategy for the war there, which has seen escalating
deaths of US and international troops.

Turkey is also contributing to the NATO efforts in the eight-year war there.

The two men also discussed the need for "sustained engagement" in
resolving the ongoing conflict in Cyprus, and in "promoting stability"
in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (DPA)