Yerevan: There is a great momentum in the relations between Cyprus and Armenia with the establishment of diplomatic missions and the direct air connection House President, Annita Demetriou, and President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan agreed during a meeting in Yerevan on Tuesday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a press release issued by the House of Representatives said that Demetriou and the parliamentary delegation accompanying her were also received by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. At the meeting with the President, Demetriou was awarded the Order of Friendship of Armenia, in recognition of her contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
The President of the House underlined that Cyprus will continue to stand by Armenia and its people, on the basis of common principles, as well as the historical bonds of friendship between the two countries, to the continuous strengthening of which the Armenian community in Cyprus and its Representative in the House have been contributing significantly.
She noted that Cyprus was the first country in Europe and the second in the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide and that the House passed a law criminalizing its denial.
Demetriou stressed that Cyprus supports Armenia’s efforts for peace, both in relation to the peace agreement with Azerbaijan, but also to its “Crossroads for Peace” initiative, as well as in relation to its European course. Referring, moreover, to her visit to a greenhouse funded by the Republic of Cyprus in which refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh are working, Demetriou underlined Cyprus’ unwavering support for the Armenian refugees, pointing out that the Cypriot people are still experiencing the consequences of the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation and that the Greek Cypriot refugees have been awaiting their return to their ancestral homes.
In view of the informal meeting on the Cyprus issue in an expanded format that will take place in Geneva next July, the House President stressed that only through dialogue, on the basis of princ
iples that must be the same and applicable to all, can peace and conditions of lasting security and prosperity be achieved.
Khachaturyan in his statements noted that Armenia-Cyprus relations have historical depth and are governed by mutual trust and solidarity, and expressed warm thanks for the consistent support that Cyprus provides to Armenia. He praised the excellent level of political dialogue and mutual support between the two countries in international fora and underlined the importance of further upgrading relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership level and expanding bilateral cooperation in new areas of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on the areas of education and culture.
Regarding Armenia’s European path, Khachaturyan noted that a law was passed by the Parliament and stressed that Armenia has the same principles and values as Europe and requested the support of Cyprus to this end.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the President of the Parliamen
t expressed her appreciation for the political will demonstrated by Armenia and the efforts it is making for peace, both in its bilateral relations and at the regional level, and wished for the successful conclusion of the peace agreement with Azerbaijan. Demetriou also expressed Cyprus’ full support for Armenia-EU relations, underlining that in a time of increasing instability, the further strengthening of the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and Armenia becomes even more necessary with a view to promote the international law, human rights, and democracy.
The President of the Parliament also expressed deep appreciation for Armenia’s consistent support as regards the Cyprus problem and the ongoing efforts to resume substantive talks to achieve a solution that would reunite the country, in accordance with international law and UN resolutions. Turkish demands for a ‘two-state’ solution, she pointed out, are not in the framework of the United Nations and cannot be accepted under
any circumstances.
The Prime Minister of Armenia said that his country is proceeding with difficult but necessary reforms, seeking its full alignment with the EU, noting, at the same time, that these reforms provide impetus for the implementation of Armenia’s democratic agenda, as part of a long-term strategy to which the peace process also belongs. Pashinyan informed the President of the Parliament and the delegation about the progress of the negotiations, emphasizing the will and determination on the part of Armenia to sign the peace agreement as soon as possible with Azerbaijan.
Earlier, the House President and the parliamentary delegation visited the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial where she laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. They also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum. On Wednesday, Demetriou will give an interview to the state television. The House President and the delegation return home on Wednesday afternoon.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turk
ey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.