Just months since it began radio broadcasts in Armenian, state-owned Turkish Radio and Broadcasting Corporation, or TRT, is now preparing to launch an Armenian television channel. TRT Radio Bureau and Foreign Broadcasts Director Senol Goka confirmed that Armenian television broadcasts would begin within a year.

Initial efforts to broadcast in Armenian began after a meeting between president of Armenia and Turkey Abdullah Gul and Serge Sargsyan, last September when Gul visited Yerevan for a football match between the national teams of the two countries. According to Mr. Gok, television and radio broadcasts will be produced by the same work team.

18 month ago Turkey's government made a decision to launch a radio channel in Armenian. According to Mr. Goka, the works towards Armenian broadcasting are moving forward. "Broadcasts in Armenian carry a message to Armenia and the world," Goka said. "We are tackling the common history of the two nations. We are emphasizing our joint values in order to strengthen the links between the two people."