BURSA, Turkey (CNN) -- Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian Wednesday became the first Armenian head of state to travel to Turkey to attend a soccer game between the two countries' national teams. Armenian President Serzh Sarkasian (right) pictured with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul during Gul's visit to Yerevan in 2008. Sarkisian and Turkish president Abdullah Gul arrived at the stadium in Bursa together in a car flying the national flags of both countries. In an exclusive interview with CNN before the game, Gul said the event opened a new chapter for relations between Armenia and Turkey. But when asked, he avoided saying whether the border between the two neighbors would be opened before 2010.
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Armenian president's visit comes amid thaw in relations between neighbors
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Turkey, Armenia signed protocols at weekend to establish diplomatic ties
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President Sarkisian has faced angry protests at home over rapprochement
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Sarkisian attends soccer match; Gul attended match in Yerevan last year
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He was in Bursa on Wednesday, hosting a conference of Armenian and @placeholder academics examining bilateral relations.
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The protocols call for establishment of embassies in each others' capitals, and for re-opening the @placeholder-Armenian border, which has been closed since 1993.
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On Tuesday, Turkey's prime minister made a public appeal to @placeholder football fans, to greet Sarkisian with hospitality and to avoid provocations.
Serzh Sarkisian
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Sarkisian
Sarkisian
On Tuesday, Turkey's prime minister made a public appeal to Turkish football fans, to greet @placeholder with hospitality and to avoid provocations.