ARMENIAN AND TURKISH LEADERS PUSH FOR CLOSER TIES

EuroNews
April 13 2010
France

Taking advantage of both being in Washington for the nuclear summit,
the leaders of Armenia and Turkey have met to try and breath new life
into efforts to improve ties.

The get together between President Serzh Sarksyan and Turkey’s Prime
Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan follows months of little progress
since agreeing in principle, to open their border.

Last October, under the auspices of the US, the two countries signed
accords which should lead to the normalising of relations, and thus
hopefully end a century of hostility.

But the protocols need parliamentary ratification which neither side
has yet sought.

The deal would bring big economic gains to landlocked Armenia and
would improve Turkey’s credentials as a potential EU member.