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Erdogan says “soccer diplomacy” with Armenia was wrong

Türkiye Materials 8 May 2015 12:59 (UTC +04:00)
The presence of Turkey’s ex-president, Abdullah Gul, at a football match in 2008 between the national teams of Turkey and Armenia in Yerevan, was a mistake.
Erdogan says “soccer diplomacy” with Armenia was wrong

Details added (first version posted on 12:03)

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

The presence of Turkey's ex-president, Abdullah Gul, at a football match in 2008 between the national teams of Turkey and Armenia in Yerevan, was a mistake, said Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He made the remarks May 8 at a meeting with historians in Ankara, according to the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

Erdogan added that Turkey is not hostile towards Armenia, and each time stretched the hand of friendship toward that country, but this must be reciprocal.

The football match, held in Yerevan in 2008 as part of the World Cup qualifications, was attended by the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and the then president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul.

The presidential balcony, from where the two heads of state were watching the game, was enclosed by bullet proof glass.

Gul was met in the stadium with the fans' disapproving rumble and whistles.

Edited by SI

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Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu

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