
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Turkey and Armenia declared their intent to restore relations and open their sealed border in a joint statement issued last week. Under Swiss auspices, the two countries outlined their collective plan to sign into action two protocols, one restoring diplomatic relations and the other to establish bilateral ties within six weeks. According to the joint statement, the protocols will enter into force only after they have been ratified by both countries’ parliaments. The joint declaration marks the culmination of rapprochement efforts that began with Turkish President Abdullah Gül’s “football diplomacy” visit to Yerevan in September […]