CHRISTOFIAS PRAISES ARMENIA’S PEACE EFFORTS WITH TURKEY
by Stefanos Evripidou
Cyprus Mail
July 7, 2009 Tuesday
PRESIDENT DEMETRIS Christofias and the First Lady began a two-day
visit to Armenia yesterday, his first official visit to the country
as head of state, three years after going as House President.
Christofias met first with the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
all Armenians Karekin II in the capital Yerevan. The Supreme Patriarch
spoke of Christofias’ wide experience on EU matters which would help
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in his efforts to strengthen Armenian
relations with the EU.
The Patriarch gave Christofias a replica of the Symbol of
Victory and wished the people of Cyprus and the president great
victories. Receiving the gift, Christofias dedicated it to peace and
efforts to free Cyprus from Turkey’s military occupation.
Christofias described the Armenian President’s recent efforts to ease
relations with Turkey as "wise". Armenia was showing good will, and
if the other side does not respond positively, that is its problem,
he added.
Christofias was due to meet his counterpart President Sargsyan
yesterday afternoon, while in the evening, Sargsyan was due to host
a state dinner in honour of the President and Elsie Christofias.
Today, the president will have a working breakfast with Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan and in the afternoon the official farewell
ceremony will be held at the Presidential Palace.
During his stay, President Christofias is also expected to meet with
Mayor of Yerevan Gagik Beglaryan and visit the Institute of Ancient
Manuscripts and the Memorial to the Victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou will be meeting with his Armenian
counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, during the official visit. The
diplomatic entourage also includes the Moscow-based Cyprus Ambassador
to Armenia 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, Vartkes Mahdessian.