Last May's parliamentary elections, won by Mr Sarkisian's Republican Party, took place without any major incidents.

BBC: Armenia President Serge Sarkisian wins new term

Mr Sarkisian has hinted that he is open to this idea, triggering howls of treason from the opposition.

ECONOMIST: A large NATO country ponders a bigger role in the Caucasus

Official election results in Armenia gave Serzh Sarkisian 53% of the vote, and the main opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian 21.5%.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Armenian poll challenge rejected

"I voted today for Armenia's future - for the well-being of our citizens and families, " Mr Sarkisian said after voting in the capital, Yerevan.

BBC: Armenia President Serge Sarkisian wins new term

Mr Gul's decision to accept an invitation from Armenia's president, Serzh Sarkisian, has raised expectations that Turkey may establish diplomatic ties and open the border it closed during the 1990s fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

ECONOMIST: Turkey and Armenia