CYPRIOT, ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTS TO BOOST TIES

Cyprus News Agency
Nov 14 2008
Cyprus

[Report by Nicos Markides: "Cyprus and Armenia Agree To Enhance
Relations"]

Yerevan, Nov 14 (CNA) – 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
[Karoyian] held during his two-day visit to Yerevan.

Garoyian and National Assembly of Armenia President Hovik Abrahamyan
held a joint press conference on Thursday [ 13 November] 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
[Dhimitris Khristofias] 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.