US urges Armenian president to attend soccer match in Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States on Monday urged President Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia to visit Turkey for a soccer game between both countries in a bid to help normalize ties between Ankara and Yerevan.



Senior US diplomat Phil Gordon, speaking after US-Turkish and US-Armenian talks in New York, told reporters he understood that "the Armenian president has been invited to Turkey for the return" World Cup qualifying match.



"We think it would be a good thing if he attended it, reciprocating the attendance of the Turkish president of the match when it was in Armenia," Gordon said when asked to comment on a reciprocal visit.



"It would be a good sign and further evidence of the two countries coming together if he went to the football match," said Gordon, the US assistant secretary of state for European affairs.



Gordon briefed reporters on talks US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held separately with the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.



Turkish officials said Sunday in Ankara that Turkey and Armenia will sign a landmark deal to establish diplomatic ties next month in Switzerland.



The process had gathered steam in September 2008 when Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a landmark visit to Yerevan to watch the first leg of a World Cup qualification match between Turkey and Armenia, Department of State reported.