CYPRUS AND ARMENIA ENTER NEW PHASE AFTER GAROYIAN’S VISIT
By Nicos Markides
Cyprus News Agency
November 14, 2008
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 held during his
two-day visit to Yerevan.
Garoyian and National Assembly of Armenia President Hovik Abrahamyan
held a joint press conference on Thursday at the end of Garoyian’s
official visit where they also announced that frequent 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 expressed the desire to work for opening an Armenian embassy
in Nicosia and a Cypriot embassy in Yerevan.
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 Sp eaker’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
normalising relations between Turkey and Armenia, as well as the
latest developments concerning Karabagh.
"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 an d 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 recognise the Republic of Cyprus, that it will normalise 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 bi-zonal,
bi-communal 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,
M inister of Foreign Affairs Edvard Nalbandyan and visited Echmiadzin.
Garoyian and his entourage returned home on Friday.
More images of Garoyian’s visit will be posted on