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T. Papadopoulos says Cyprus to Support Armenia in EU Neighborhd Prg

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  • T. Papadopoulos says Cyprus to Support Armenia in EU Neighborhd Prg

    Armenpress

    TASSOS PAPADOPOULOS SAYS CYPRUS TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN
    IMPLEMENTATION OF EU'S NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM

    NICOSIA, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: A wide range of
    issues was discussed today during the face-to-face
    meeting of the Armenian and Cyprian presidents Robert
    Kocharian and Tassos Papadopoulos and at the extended
    meeting which followed after it.
    During the negotiations an agreement on fighting
    against organized and other crime manifestations has
    been signed and the task groups have been assigned to
    develop concrete proposals and programs for boosting
    the cooperation.
    At the press conference which followed after the
    negotiations the presidents of the two countries
    particularly pointed out the warm and productive
    atmosphere maintained during the whole process of
    negotiations. `We had a very productive discussion and
    tried to give practical solutions and suggestions,'
    Kocharian said. The President of Cyprus Tassos
    Papadopoulos noted that both during personal and
    official meetings the Cyprian side assured the
    Armenian president that it is ready to boost bilateral
    friendly relations between the two countries and
    expand the cooperation.
    `Cyprus must speak in favor of Armenia in all the
    international and political issues,' the Cyprian
    president stated. In the implementation of agreements,
    the president underscored the role of the Armenian
    community, which, according to Papadopoulos, is a
    high-level community and is leading in all the
    spheres. `The relations between our peoples and
    countries are very warm and there exists an effective
    dialogue which we tired to expand today particularly
    in the economic sphere,' the Armenian president noted.
    According to Kocharian, Armenia and Cyprus have
    always defended each other in different international
    establishments. He said today Armenia has great
    expectations in respect of acquiring experience of
    Cyprus in the implementation of reforms within the
    frameworks of the EU's New Neighborhood Policy. The
    Cyprian side has expressed readiness to support and
    cooperate with Armenia in this field. `From the very
    first moment Cyprus was for the inclusion of Armenia
    in the EU's New Neighborhood program, which supposes a
    great number of reforms. We are ready to support in
    their practical implementation,' the Cyprian president
    said.
    The reporters present at the conference were
    interested what approaches the sides have over the
    process of Turkey's membership to EU. `Turkey has
    assumed these commitments on its own wish. All the
    countries agree that Turkey must implement its
    commitments but at the same time they do not want
    negotiations be suspended. Punitive measures must be
    undertaken to show Turkey that it must be
    conscientious. At present it is being discussed what
    punitive measures must be undertaken,' president of
    Cyprus said. According to Robert Kocharian, Armenia is
    interested in the issue as it is connected with the
    readiness and wish of Turkey to regulate its relations
    with the neighboring countries, including Armenia. `It
    is important whether the process of membership of
    Turkey will be conducted fully or not. This will
    directly influence on Armenian-Turkish relations,'
    Armenian president said.
    On response to the question about the position of
    the Armenian president over Turkish-Cyprian relations,
    Kocharian said that Armenia has many times stated in
    the international organizations its position. `We
    would like to see the Cyprus issue regulated in the
    way the Cyprian people and government is picturing
    it,' the Armenian president said. Kocharian said that
    he has invited his Cyprian counterpart to visit
    Armenia next year.
    Armenian president also met today with the Chairman
    of the Cyprian House of Representatives Demetris
    Khristofias. The latter said that they have reached
    agreement over consolidation of political partnership,
    expansion of legislative cooperation which will bring
    to the development of cooperation in economic,
    cultural, tourism and other spheres. `Good ties exist
    between the parliaments of the two countries but it is
    necessary to carry out more effective work for
    developing them more,' Demetris Khristofias said at
    the press conference that followed the meeting.
    Referring to the recognition of the Armenian
    Genocide by Turkey on its way to the EU, the president
    of Armenia said, `The process of coming into terms
    with the own history is a way which people must pass
    on their own. We hope the process of membership to EU
    will bring to the state when the discussions over this
    issue in Turkey will be more open and the
    intellectuals and society will have an opportunity to
    express themselves freely,' Kocharian said.
    Within the framework of the visit the members of
    the delegation also had separate meetings with their
    Cyprian partners. Particularly Armenian deputy
    foreign, trade and economic development and culture
    and youth affairs ministers met with their
    counterparts and discussed with them prospects for the
    development of cooperation.
    Gagik Gyurjian, deputy culture and youth affairs
    minister, noted that during the meeting an agreement
    has been reached over the all-encompassing program on
    cooperation in the cultural sphere for 2006-2008.
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