In a move that deserves praise and support, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan moved forward again to normalize relations with Turkey, The Daily Star Lebanese newspaper reported.

“Sargsyan submitted to the Armenian Parliament two protocols which spring from the deal he signed with Turkish President Abdullah Gul last October; the two protocols would open bilateral diplomatic relations and open the countries’ shared border.

The Armenian President has taken a bold and necessary step. It is time to move forward; instead of living in the past, this region needs understanding and reconciliation.

For its part, Armenia has a well of untapped potential, whether as a passageway for a natural-gas pipeline or in its historically talented populace.

The Turkish-Armenian reconciliation should be acknowledged as an example of the way forward, of a better alternative to the seething tensions. We need more leaders willing to stick their necks out to end tensions and conflicts.

Sargsyan’s brave move might not succeed – the deal still has to be approved by both countries’ legislatures – but no matter how this episode ends, the president deserves recognition for helping escape the cell of the past and moving toward peace and reconciliation,” the article said.