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Armenia: An Unprecedented Football Match

Categories: Central Asia & Caucasus, Middle East & North Africa, Armenia, Turkey, History, International Relations, Sport, War & Conflict

A Fistful of Euros comments on this weekend's World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan. Although there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries, and as the border remains closed, the blog considers the event, which will also be attended by the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, as a historical one [1]. It argues that while the previous Armenian president relied on the support of a nationalist political party, the his successor has no need to. Although the invitation was extended to Gul before the recent conflict in Georgia, the blog also notes the importance of normalizing relations in its aftermath.