Cyprus Melkonian mediation in the pipeline

Dr. Vahakn Atamyan, the Representative of Armenians in the Cyprus House of Representatives announced the formation of a new committee in an effort to mediate and help resolve the deadlock in the Melkonian school dispute.

Dr. Atamyan announced his mediation effort following his return from a trip to New York where he met the President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Mr. Berge Setrakian.

According to an official press announcement distributed to Cyprus media, Dr. Atamyan states that although Mr. Setrakian insisted that the AGBU will maintain its unilateral decision to keep the Melkonian closed pending the outcome of a court case filed in a Cyprus court by the Patriarch of Armenians in Istanbul, Mesrob Moutafyan, which is backed by the worldwide Melkonian Alumni, nevertheless, he agreed with the formation of a new committee that will discuss the future of Melkonian and the Armenian community in Cyprus.

“Provided that all parties agree to join the committee, then representatives of the Ministry of the Education of Cyprus, the Central Committee of the AGBU, the worldwide Melkonian Alumni and the Armenian Community of Cyprus will be invited to join the committee,” Dr. Atamyan said in his statement.

Since the AGBU decided to close the historic Melkonian school in Nicosia Cyprus, the worldwide Melkonian Alumni have spearheaded a campaign to keep the school open. Their efforts have been joined by the Patriarch of Armenians in Istanbul, Mesrob Moutafyan, who has initiated the court cases against the AGBU in Los Angeles and Nicosia.