Armenian and Turkish leaders push for closer ties

Taking advantage of both being in Washington for the nuclear summit, the leaders of Armenia and Turkey have met to try and breath new life into efforts to improve ties.

The get together between President Serzh Sarksyan and Turkey’s Prime Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan follows months of little progress since agreeing in principle, to open their border.

Last October, under the auspices of the US, the two countries signed accords which should lead to the normalising of relations, and thus hopefully end a century of hostility.

But the protocols need parliamentary ratification which neither side has yet sought.

The deal would bring big economic gains to landlocked Armenia and would improve Turkey’s credentials as a potential EU member.