Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Nov 24 2006
Armenia always supports Cyprus, says Armenian President
24/11/2006
Armenia has always supported Cyprus in the international
organizations and sincerely wishes to see the Cyprus issue resolved
in a way which is most preferable for Cyprus, stated here tonight
President of Armenia Robert Kocharian.
`Turkey cannot pave its way to Europe without establishing normal
relations with its immediate neighbours’, the Armenian President told
an official dinner given in his honour by Cyprus President Tassos
Papadopoulos, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.
An EU member-state Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish
troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.
Kocharian said the inclusion of his country in the European
Neighbourhood Policy is of great importance. `It shall raise our
relations with the European Union to a qualitatively new level.
Armenia strives to fully utilize the possibilities provided by this
European initiative,” the Armenian President noted.
He added his country attaches great significance to the establishment
of good friendly relations with its neighbour, as well as to the
regional cooperation.
Kocharian said unresolved conflicts hamper the process of natural
development of the South Caucasus. `We are committed to the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, which must be based on
the principles of self-determination of peoples and on the
international recognition of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic,’ he
noted.
The Armenian President said in recent years Cyprus has registered
impressive achievements. `The country’s membership of the European
Union is of historic significance. Your experience in incorporating
European standards as well as in strengthening the banking system,
and developing tourism is of interest to us’, he told the Cypriot
President.
He remarked that the Armenian community in Cyprus is among the oldest
in Europe, adding that that Armenians are not only actively
participating in the social and economic life of the country but have
also struggled together with the Greek Cypriot people against foreign
conquerors. They also bring their important contribution to the
strengthening of Armenian – Cypriot relations, the President of
Armenia concluded.
