The Armenian community of Cyprus has expressed grave concern over two protocols agreed on 31 August between Armenia and Turkey.
In an open letter to the President and the government of Armenia, it is noted that the protocols have caused grave concern to the entire Armenian nation, both in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Diaspora, as some of their provisions jeopardise not only the arguments but also the just claims on the Armenian issue.
The letter, read by the President of the Armenian National Committee of Cyprus Akop Manoukian at a press conference, points out that the rush in which the protocols were agreed leads the Armenian side to an irreversible and historical error, compromising the unity of the Armenian people and Armenia’s common course with the Diaspora, leading to national division.
“We, the representatives of the entire Armenian community in Cyprus: Church, ethnarchy, political leadership and organized groups, join our voice of protest to that of our brothers in Armenia and Diaspora, raising the alarm to that dangerous possibility”, it adds.
It notes that Armenia is certainly entitled to have open borders or enter into diplomatic relations, but its government must make sure that the Armenian Genocide is acknowledged.
Otherwise, the letter continues, “signing such unacceptable protocols, the whole nation is confronted with an irreversible and highly dangerous situation.”
The Armenian Community of Cyprus, with its letter, is asking the Armenian President “to avoid hasty moves, clarify all the vexed questions, make the necessary corrections in the texts and once this is done, seal them with a signature”.
The Community expresses its deep conviction that any document must be consistent with the principles of historical reality and justice.
The President of the Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus Antranik Ashdjian, speaking at the press conference, said that 95% of the Armenian Diaspora and 65-70% of the Armenians living in Armenia are against the signing of the agreement on the two protocols.
Armenians have lived in Cyprus for centuries, but the present community on the island is mainly the result of immigration during and immediately after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 in Turkey.
Currently, some 3000-3500 Armenians live in Cyprus, mainly in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. The Armenian religious group is guaranteed a place in the House of Parliament but the Armenian representative does not have the right to vote.
