July 3, 2008 - 15:49 AMT
Armenian, Turkish Presidents to meet in Astana
President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Abdullah Gul of Turkey have been invited to festivities dedicated to 10th birthday of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as King of Jordan Abdallah II will also take part in the events.

The heads of state are also expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings.

According to Russian sources, President Medvedev will meet with leaders of Jordan and Turkey, IA Regnum reports quoting Kazakh media.

As President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan will for the first time meet with his Turkish counterpart.

During a recent meeting with the Armenian community of Moscow, President Sargsyan said, "Turkey proposes to form a commission to study historical facts. We do not mind it but the land border between our countries should be opened first. Otherwise, the commission may become a tool of abuse and protraction of the issue for many years."

"I intend to take new steps toward establishment of relations with Turkey. I will probably invite Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan to attend a match between our national soccer teams," the Armenian President said.