[Podcast]Turkey and Armenia Sign Accords to Normalise Relations

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[TRANSCRIPT]

Today saw Turkey and Armenia sign accords that will end centuries of sporadic conflict and unsettled relations.

This is the day Turkey had said that it hoped the deal would be signed, while Armenia had kept its cards close to its chest.

I for one am just glad to see the accords signed, I was worried that one of the many obstacles would scupper the deal.

Speaking of which, the deal was almost scuppered when Turkey revealed the text of a statement it planned to issue after the accords were signed, the language of it the statement apparently sent the Armenian delegation into a tailspin.

Luckily Hilary Clinton managed to salvage the deal. Unfortunately the deal could yet be scuppered. It still has to be ratified by both parliaments, both of which are facing opposition from their citizens and in Armenia's case heavy opposition from the Diaspora.

There is also the long-standing problems between Armenia and Azerbajan, the Turkish parliament will be unable to ratify the deal unless some progress is made there.

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