Cyprus, Armenian FMs discuss regional issues, bilateral ties, XINHUA
Xinhua, China
May 20, 2004 Thursday
NICOSIA, May 20 (Xinhua) — Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou
and his Armenia’s counterpart Vartan Oskanian discussed Thursday the
Cyprus problem, Cyprus’ accession to the EU and bilateral ties.
In his statements to the press after the talks, Oskanian, who is
paying a working visit to Cyprus, said Cyprus’ accession to the EU is
very important for Armenia, noting that “we see Cyprus as a friendly
country, as an insider in the EU and that we can rely on its help to
further advance our integration processes with European structures
and particularly with the EU”.
Oskanian said the two sides also talked about other regional matters,
particularly Armenia’s relations with its neighbors, Turkey in
particular, adding as a goal his country has normalized ties with
Turkey.
He also said that the reason of his visit to the island is first of
all to advance and deepen the bilateral ties at all levels.
He added that he was extremely satisfied with his talks with Iacovou
and that their discussion was very useful.
On his part, Iacovou said Armenia is a friendly country with very old
ties with Cyprus and that their modern ties develop continuously at
all levels and mostly at the political level.
He referred to the presence of many Armenians in Cyprus that
participate in the economic, social and political life of the country
and noted they discussed various issues.
Iacovou said he briefed Oskanian on the latest developments in the
Cyprus problem, Cyprus’ accession to the EU and the prospects created
by it while Oskanian briefed him on the problems at Caucasus region
and Nakorno Karabagh.