Turkish and Armenian leaders on Wednesday hailed the two countries’ move to normalize ties after long-time rift as they pursued football diplomacy in west Turkey’s Bursa city

Turkish President Abdullah Gul (R) shakes hands with the visiting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in western Turkish city of Bursa Oct. 14, 2009. Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Bursa Wednesday to attend a Turkey-Armenia World Cup qualifier as part of the two countries’ move to normalize ties after nearly a century of rift. (Xinhua/Anadolu News Agency)

Visiting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended a World Cup qualifier match between Turkey and Armenia in Bursa on Wednesday evening, four days after the two estranged neighbors signed protocols to normalize relations.

Gul said history can not be made in a single day and that it needs time to improve Turkey-Armenia ties, noting “we have witnessed that we can solve the difficulties in this process.”

On Oct. 10, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed protocols to establish diplomatic ties and develop bilateral relations in the Swiss city of Zurich.

The two countries are at odds over killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire’s rule during the World War I period and a territorial dispute between Armenia and Turkey’s Muslim ally Azerbaijan. Turkey has had no diplomatic or economic ties with Armenia since the latter declared its independence in 1991 and closed its border with Armenia in 1993.

Sargsyan told Wednesday’s meeting the steps taken by Turkey and Armenia to normalize ties were crucial, saying the steps will rally support in time, according to Anatolia.

Nationalists in both Turkey and Armenia have been opposing the signing of the protocols, criticizing their governments for making concessions. The protocols are yet to be ratified by the two countries’ parliaments before entering into force.

“There could be individuals with different thoughts in both countries, Turkey and Armenia,” Sargsyan was quoted as saying. “What is important is to see that people thinking positively about our steps are in the majority.”

In September 2008 in a landmark visit, the Turkish president travelled to Armenia’s capital Yerevan to watch a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between the two countries upon an invitation by Sargsyan.

Sarkisyan had said he would only accept an invitation to the return match in Turkey if Turkey takes “real steps” to open their borders.

In the protocols signed last week, the two sides agreed to open borders two months after the protocols entered into force.

In Wednesday’s match, Turkish national soccer team beat Armenia 2-0.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet