Financial Mirror

Cyprus President Christofias on return visit to Armenia
Russia, Turkey, Georgia, EU on agenda
July 05, 2009

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, will
pay an official visit to Armenia on July 6 and 7, accompanied by his
wife, Elsie Christofia.
During his visit to Armenia, President Christofias will have a private
meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan, followed by talks between their
countries’ delegations.
This will be the Cypriot president’s second official visit to Armenia,
but his first as the chief executive of the Cyprus government. Mr
Christofias also visited Armenia three years ago as President of the
Cypriot parliament.
Azg daily editor Hagop Avedikian met Christofias in May 2007 and in an
interview in Nicosia, the Cypriot official had expressed the warm
relations between Cyprus and Armenia, as well as between Greek
Cypriots and Armenians in Cyprus, and the importance of the Armenian
Diaspora and Armenian heritage. He had also pledged to do everything
within his powers to reopen the Melkonian school in Nicosia,
recognised by the Greek Cypriots as a `jewel’ in the history,
educational and cultural life of Cyprus for 80 years.
The Cyprus President will also have a meeting with Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, Catholicos Karekin II, as well as with the Mayor of
Yerevan, Gagik Beglaryan.
During his stay in Armenia, President Christofias and his wife will
visit the Memorial to the Victims of the Armenian Genocide. He will
also attend a working lunch with the Armenian Foreign Minister, Edward
Nalbandian, as well as a dinner hosted by the Armenian President.
The President of Cyprus will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs Markos Kyprianou, the Ambassador of Cyprus to Armenia
(stationed in Moscow), Petros Kestoras, the Honorary Consul of Cyprus
in Armenia, Armen Khachatryan, as well as the Representative of the
Armenian Religious Group in the House of Representatives of Cyprus,
Vartkes Mahdessian.