05/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The French EU Presidency welcomed the “historic” visit by Turkey's President Abdullah Gül scheduled for Saturday 6 September in Armenia, hoping that it will “create a climate favourable for normalising relations” between the two countries. Mr Gül is the first head of state of Turkey to go to Armenia since this former Soviet republic declared independence in 1991, accepting an invitation from his Armenian counterpart, Serge Sarkissian, to attend an Armenia-Turkey football match as part of the qualifying rounds of the World Cup 2010. In a declaration published on 4 September, the French Presidency also spoke of its “serious interest” for the initiative taken by Turkey with a view to creating a “platform of stability and cooperation for Caucasus”. This is a “significant contribution” by Turkey to promote the stability, security and development of this region, which is taking on a new dimension in the context of the conflict in Georgia, the Presidency states. (H.B./transl.jl)