Sarkozy welcomes Gul's courageous, historic visit to Armenia

"While the region is in the midst of a serious crisis, (his visit) is a courageous and historic gesture for Turkish-Armenian relations," Sarkozy, who currently holds the European Unions rotating presidency, said in a statement.

"It allows hope for progress soon in establishing normal relations between Turkey and Armenia," he added.

Gul made his landmark visit to Turkey’s eastern neighbor -- the first by a Turkish head of state to the ex-Soviet nation -- for the first of two World Cup qualifiers between the two national teams.

Sarkozy paid "tribute to the political courage of President Gul and President (Serzh) Sargsyan" and said he was hoping that reaching out will allow both countries to show the world that "reconciliation is possible through openness, dialogue and the respect of others."