GREEK PRESIDENT: NAGORNO KARABAKH AND CYPRUS TO ACHIEVE FREEDOM

AZG Armenian Daily #122,
29/06/2007

International

The delegation led by Greek President Karolos Papoulias met with
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian, Vice Speakers
Vahan Hovhannisian and Ishkhan Zakaryan as well as chairs of standing
parliamentary commissions.

"Armenia and Greece are united by the centuries-old friendship,
which includes not only commonness of civilizations but also has
wonderful development outlook. The governments and parliaments of
both states are collaborating and I confirm the invitation for the
Greek parliament speaker to Armenia," Tigran Torosian said.

Mr Papoulias, who visited Armenia several years ago, pointed out to
the changes that took place in the republic. "Historical ties unite
our states and there are events in our history we can’t forget. They
always remind of human rights and respect for human dignity," he said.

Greeks and Armenians have always struggled for resolution of
national issues in the framework of international law, according
to him. "Nevertheless, there are forces, which don’t derive lessons
from the past and repeat fatal mistakes. Our freedom-loving peoples
can’t tolerate either closed borders or blockade, or 40-thousand army
in Cyprus, which is the member of the European Union," he emphasized
adding that Armenia and Greece are struggling for democratic freedoms,
human rights and justice.

For his part, Tigran Torosian noted that both states share democratic
values and the way of European integration. "Some forces sometimes
try to oppose Cyprus and Nagorno Karabakh. But there is a common wish
of both peoples to live freely on their lands.

The problem should be discussed from the standpoint of human
rights. All international documents record the right of people to live
freely and rule their life as a priority. However, not all understand
it and derive lessons from history. Both Cyprus and Nagorno Karabakh
will achieve success in aspiration to freedom on the basis of human
rights," Tigran Torosian said, the RA NA press office reported.