Armenia's opposition leader backs efforts to mend Turkey relations

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Ter-Petrosian was quoted by AFP as telling about 3,500 supporters at a rally in central Yerevan that his Armenian National Congress "is in favor of the soonest settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations and is ready to support all positive steps."

Turkey and Armenia, under Switzerland's mediation, agreed last week on a "road map" deal for talks that could lead to the normalizing of ties and the opening of their border.

Ankara cut diplomatic links with Yerevan and closed the border in a show of support to Azerbaijan in 1993 after 20 percent of its territory was invaded by Armenia in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. 

The efforts at reconciliation are facing opposition from nationalists on both sides and an Armenian nationalist party quit the country's ruling coalition last month over the deal.

Ter-Petrosian remains highly influential in Armenia, where he was president from its 1991 independence from the Soviet Union until 1998.

He came second to President Serzh Sargsyan in a presidential election last year, which opposition supporters allege was rigged.

Ten people were killed in clashes between riot police and Ter-Petrosians supporters after the vote.

Ter-Petrosian has announced he will run in a May 31 vote to choose a new mayor of Yerevan.