Tweet
ARMENIAN FM REAFFIRMS PRINCIPLED POSITIONS ON CYPRUS
Cyprus News Agency
Sept 14 2012
Nicosia, Sept 14 (CNA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian reassured here Friday of his country's time-long principled
positions and its unwavering support for the sovereign rights of the
Republic of Cyprus.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Cyprus Minister of Foreign
Affairs Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis [Markoullis], Nalbandian said "I have
reiterated once again our position of appreciation of the constructive
approach and initiatives undertaken by Cyprus for the resolution of
the Cyprus problem and expressed regret that the Turkish side is not
duly responding to these steps".
Nalbandian is paying a two-day working visit to Cyprus, at the
invitation of his Cypriot counterpart. His visit is a follow-up to
Marcoullis' visit to Erevan, last April, and is held in the framework
of the Protocol on Consultations between the two Ministries and of
the Joint Declaration on bilateral relations, which was signed in
January 2011 in Nicosia between the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
and the President of the Republic Demetris [Dimitrios] Christofias.
Markoullis said they had the opportunity to further advance through
substantive discussions the bilateral strategic relationship with
Armenia, a traditional friend and ally of Cyprus.
Nalbandian expressed satisfaction "to be in a country with which we
have centuries-old friendship and brotherly relations, which passed
the test of time, in a country, the parliament of which was one of
the first that recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide, in
a country with significant Armenian heritage, and the presence of
vibrant Armenian community".
One aspect that constitutes a unique bond between Cyprus and Armenia,
said Marcoullis, in this respect is the fact that Cyprus has provided
a safe home to thousands of Armenians who fled to escape the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923 by the Ottomans.
"Our brotherly relations are supplemented by the fact that Cyprus
boasts a vibrant and extremely active Armenian community which
is harmoniously integrated in the Cypriot society, enriching and
fostering the multicultural character of our people", she added.
During the meeting, she said, "we had a productive dialogue on an
array of bilateral issues and exchanged ideas for further enhancing
our relations and cooperation in the areas of tourism, trade, economy
and investment, as well as for the continuation and intensification
of our cooperation in multilateral fora."
"I once more reconfirmed that Cyprus constitutes a firm supporter of
Armenia within the EU and will continue working towards the substantial
strengthening of EU -Armenian relations, in all areas of cooperation",
she added.
She also said that Cyprus will be chairing later this year, on behalf
of High Representative Catherine Ashton, during the Cyprus Presidency
of the Council of the EU, the Permanent Cooperation Council between
the EU and Armenia.
Minister Nalbandian briefed Marcoullis on the latest developments
in the Nagorno Karabakh issue on which she reiterated Cyprus' full
support for the continuous peace efforts, via dialogue.
Marcoullis conveyed her deep regret and concern for the Azeri
Presidential pardon and release of the Azerbaijani army officer Ramil
Sahib Safarov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous
murder of the Armenian Army officer Gurgen Marrgaryan, in 2004.
"It is imperative that Azerbaijan demonstrates full respect to the
letter and the spirit of the relevant international Conventions, as
well as fulfil the diplomatic assurances and commitments given as a
condition for such release", she said.
The two Ministers exchanged views on a number of regional and
international issues.
Cyprus News Agency
Sept 14 2012
Nicosia, Sept 14 (CNA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian reassured here Friday of his country's time-long principled
positions and its unwavering support for the sovereign rights of the
Republic of Cyprus.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Cyprus Minister of Foreign
Affairs Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis [Markoullis], Nalbandian said "I have
reiterated once again our position of appreciation of the constructive
approach and initiatives undertaken by Cyprus for the resolution of
the Cyprus problem and expressed regret that the Turkish side is not
duly responding to these steps".
Nalbandian is paying a two-day working visit to Cyprus, at the
invitation of his Cypriot counterpart. His visit is a follow-up to
Marcoullis' visit to Erevan, last April, and is held in the framework
of the Protocol on Consultations between the two Ministries and of
the Joint Declaration on bilateral relations, which was signed in
January 2011 in Nicosia between the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
and the President of the Republic Demetris [Dimitrios] Christofias.
Markoullis said they had the opportunity to further advance through
substantive discussions the bilateral strategic relationship with
Armenia, a traditional friend and ally of Cyprus.
Nalbandian expressed satisfaction "to be in a country with which we
have centuries-old friendship and brotherly relations, which passed
the test of time, in a country, the parliament of which was one of
the first that recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide, in
a country with significant Armenian heritage, and the presence of
vibrant Armenian community".
One aspect that constitutes a unique bond between Cyprus and Armenia,
said Marcoullis, in this respect is the fact that Cyprus has provided
a safe home to thousands of Armenians who fled to escape the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923 by the Ottomans.
"Our brotherly relations are supplemented by the fact that Cyprus
boasts a vibrant and extremely active Armenian community which
is harmoniously integrated in the Cypriot society, enriching and
fostering the multicultural character of our people", she added.
During the meeting, she said, "we had a productive dialogue on an
array of bilateral issues and exchanged ideas for further enhancing
our relations and cooperation in the areas of tourism, trade, economy
and investment, as well as for the continuation and intensification
of our cooperation in multilateral fora."
"I once more reconfirmed that Cyprus constitutes a firm supporter of
Armenia within the EU and will continue working towards the substantial
strengthening of EU -Armenian relations, in all areas of cooperation",
she added.
She also said that Cyprus will be chairing later this year, on behalf
of High Representative Catherine Ashton, during the Cyprus Presidency
of the Council of the EU, the Permanent Cooperation Council between
the EU and Armenia.
Minister Nalbandian briefed Marcoullis on the latest developments
in the Nagorno Karabakh issue on which she reiterated Cyprus' full
support for the continuous peace efforts, via dialogue.
Marcoullis conveyed her deep regret and concern for the Azeri
Presidential pardon and release of the Azerbaijani army officer Ramil
Sahib Safarov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous
murder of the Armenian Army officer Gurgen Marrgaryan, in 2004.
"It is imperative that Azerbaijan demonstrates full respect to the
letter and the spirit of the relevant international Conventions, as
well as fulfil the diplomatic assurances and commitments given as a
condition for such release", she said.
The two Ministers exchanged views on a number of regional and
international issues.