Hopes For An Open Border

Turkish President Abdullah Gul's visit to Armenia on September 6 to attend a soccer game raised hopes of rapprochement between the rival countries, and even prompted anticipation that the Turkish-Armenian border, sealed since 1993, would be reopened to allow Turkish fans to attend the game. But the border remained closed during the match, and the issue reportedly did not figure on the agenda at the two leaders' talks.

As residents on both sides of the border wait for further developments, RFE/RL's Armenian Service spoke to residents of the Armenian village of Akhurik, located on the railway line between Kars, Turkey, and Gyumri, Armenia, about what an open border and restored transportation links with Turkey would mean for them. (With reporting from Gala TV)