Turkish FM Babacan to pay relations boosting visit to Armenia

The Turkish foreign minister accepted an invitation from his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian to attend the meeting to be held at foreign ministerial level on April 16-17 as part of efforts targeting the normalization of relations between the neighboring countries.   Â

Babacan's decision is also seen as a gesture that aims at reducing the "risk" that U.S. President Barack Obama would define the 1915 incidents as "genocide" in a speech due to be delivered on April 24.

Babacan said last Sunday there was still a "risk" that Obama would recognize the incidents as "genocide", adding that such a move would only impede efforts to reconcile Turkey and Armenia.Â

Armenian lobby organizations have increased their efforts to have Obama define the 1915 incidents as "genocide" in a speech due to be delivered on April 24 and to have U.S. Congress approve legislation formally recognizing the Armenian claims. During the election campaign, Obama had pledged to recognize the Armenian claims.

Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic relations and their border has been closed for more than a decade as Armenia presses the international community with the backing of the diaspora to admit the so-called "genocide" claims, instead of accepting Turkey's call to investigate the allegations, and over Armenia's invasion of 20 percent territory of Azerbaijan.

A warmer period began in relations when Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a landmark visit to Yerevan in September to watch a World Cup qualifying football match between the two countries. Both have been holding contacts at the ministerial level since.