Turkey’s Gul sees hope beyond Armenia soccer match

Reuters, Saturday September 6 2008 By Paul de Bendern

ANKARA, Sept 6 (Reuters) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed hope on Saturday that a landmark soccer match between Turkey and Armenia would aid a “rapprochement” of neighbouring nations at odds for nearly 100 years.

Gul spoke on departure for Yerevan, where he will attend Saturday evening’s World Cup qualifier at the Hrazdan stadium and become the first Turkish leader to step foot in Armenia.

“This match is important beyond being the first match between the Turkish and Armenian national teams,” he told a news conference. “It has a significance that will present important opportunities.”

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