US urges Armenian president to attend soccer match in TurkeySeptember 29, 2009 - 20:36 AMT 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |