CYPRIOT SPEAKER SAYS LEBANON WANTS TO EXPAND RELATIONS WITH CYPRUS
Cyprus News Agency
Sept 4 2009
Cyprus
Nicosia, 4 September: Cyprus House President Marios Garoyian has
noted the will of the government of Lebanon to expand its relations
with the Republic of Cyprus at all levels.
Garoyian paid an informal visit to Lebanon where he had meetings
with the President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Suleiman and
the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nabih Berry and attended an
international conference on "Armenian Genocide and International Law."
Garoyian said that both his meetings in Lebanon were excellent,
creative and constructive, and that he had the opportunity to outline
Nicosia’s positions on the current phase of the Cyprus question and
discuss further expansion and strengthening of relations between the
two countries.
He noted the great potential to overcome any problems or difficulties
and strengthen to the maximum extent possible cooperation and
coordination at various organizations.
The House Speaker met the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of
the Armenian Apostolic Church Aram I, who, as he said, plays a very
important role in Lebanon not only as a spiritual leader but also as
a man who is highly regarded by all political forces in Lebanon.
"The Armenian community, which may be 4 per cent of the population of
Lebanon is very active and very important with influence on political
decisions, but also on issues related to policies and the foreign
policy in Lebanon. There is the will and determination to support the
Cypriot people in their efforts to free and reunite their country,
but also to contribute to strengthening bilateral ties," he said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and
occupied 37 per cent of its territory. Peace talks are underway to
reunite the country under a federal roof.