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An agreement to further develop the relations of the Cyprus House of Representatives and the National Assembly of Armenia, was reached during the talks Cypriot Speaker Marios Garoyian held during his two-day visit to Yerevan.
Garoyian and National Assembly of Armenia President Hovik Abrahamyan held a joint press conference on Thursday at the end of Garoyian’s official visit where they also announced that visits by parliamentary delegations of the two countries and government officials would be held, while Abrahamyan accepted an invitation by Garoyian to visit Cyprus in the coming year.
They also pledged to work for opening an Armenian embassy in Nicosia and a Cypriot embassy in Yerevan, hoping to achieve this within 2009 when President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias will pay an official visit to the country.
In his opening remarks, Garoyian thanked his Armenian counterpart for the invitation, to visit the land of his ancestors.
“My visit confirms the excellent relations between the two Parliaments and at the same time underlines our will to widen and reinforce even further our traditional and excellent relations”, he said.
With President Abrahamyan, he added, “we agreed to implement as much as possible the Cooperation Memorandum signed by our predecessors two years ago and during the Speaker’s visit next year (to Cyprus), we will sign a wider Cooperation Memorandum which will include many other sectors not included in the existing one”.
At the same time, he said, Cyprus, as a member of the EU is willing to substantially contribute to implement programmes within the European Partnership Programme that will serve the interests and plans of the Armenian government and state as a whole.
Garoyian referred to the talks he held with the Armenian political leadership and President Serzh Sargsyan noting the initiatives the latter has undertaken in regards to his contacts with Turkey and normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia, we well as the latest developments concerning Karabach.
“Armenia is following a policy of principles towards the Cyprus issue and the Republic of Cyprus is following a policy of principles on issues which Armenia considers of high interest”, said Garoyian.
In his statements, National Assembly of Armenia President Abrahamyan said he agrees with Garoyian’s remarks. Asked what Armenia wants from Cyprus, an EU member, concerning Turkey, Abrahamyan said “we expect justice from the EU, we want cooperation with the EU and our country has adopted the policy which will bring it closer to European structures and we are open to hear every proposal from the EU, which is not against the Armenian causes and cooperate with Cyprus as closely as possible”.
On Turkey’s relations with the EU, Abrahamyan urged all states and Cyprus, to be aware of Turkey and its policies.
Garoyian said he had discussed this issue with the Armenian President as well as Abrahamyan and pledged that Cyprus, “as a member of the EU, has the ability to play a substantial role to enhance relations between the EU and Armenia”.
“Our effort is for Turkey to comply with the principles and values of the EU”, he said, adding “we supported the start of Turkey’s negotiations with the EU on the basis of three preconditions: that it will recognize the Republic of Cyprus, that it will normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and will implement the Ankara Protocol, meaning it will open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and plans, substantially contributing to finding a viable, fair and functional solution to the Cyprus issue”.
So far, Turkey has not fulfilled any of these promises or preconditions, he added.
Abrahamyan said Armenia supports the Cyprus positions for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.
During his contacts, Garoyian also met Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edvard Nalbandyan and was received by His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of all Armenians.
Garoyian and his entourage return home Friday.
