President Gul accepts invitation to see football match in Yerevan

President Abdullah Gul has accepted Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian's invitation to watch a 2010 World Cup qualifying match between Turkey and Armenia this weekend in Yerevan, the Presidential Press Center announced yesterday. Special Envoy Unal Cevikoz yesterday went to Yerevan to convey Gul's acceptance and a message to Sarkisian. "This match between the Turkish and Armenian national football teams provides an important opportunity to establish a new atmosphere of friendship in the region," said Gul's message. "This opportunity, coming at a time of developments in the Caucasus which have worried our peoples, should not be passed up." Gul added, "The match will also be an important tool for eliminating hurdles hindering the rapprochement of our two peoples, who for centuries have shared a common history, and to pave the way for better relations between our two countries." In response, Sarkisian expressed his pleasure at Gul's decision and characterized the match as an important opportunity to improve bilateral relations and exchange views, adding that he was very happy that this opportunity hadn't been passed up. He also expressed support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal for a Caucasus cooperation and stability platform, saying that Armenia has always supported the improvement of stability, security and cooperation in the region.