U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton will discuss Armenian-Turkish relations during her visit to Yerevan July 4, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon was quoted as saying by the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper.
"We believe that the ratification of the protocols, their implementation and the opening of the Turkey-Armenia borders will be favorable for both countries and the region," Gordon said. "I am sure that the normalization of the Turkish-Armenian ties will be discussed."
Clinton, who will pay her first visit to the South Caucasus July 4- 5, took part in the protocol signing ceremony in an effort to normalize ties between Ankara and Yerevan.
Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.
Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been severed due to Armenia's claims of an alleged genocide and its occupation of Azerbaijani lands.
The border has been broken since 1993.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan issued a decree to suspend the ratification of the protocols in April.
Gordon said Clinton will be able to negotiate the situation with Sargsyan.
"As soon as Turkey will be ready for ratification, Armenia will accede to the process," Gordon said. "We continue to believe that the ratification of the protocols and the opening of the borders is in the interests of both Turkey and Armenia."