Armenpress
TASSOS PAPADOPOULOS SAYS CYPRUS TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN
IMPLEMENTATION OF EU’S NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM
NICOSIA, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: A wide range of
issues was discussed today during the face-to-face
meeting of the Armenian and Cyprian presidents Robert
Kocharian and Tassos Papadopoulos and at the extended
meeting which followed after it.
During the negotiations an agreement on fighting
against organized and other crime manifestations has
been signed and the task groups have been assigned to
develop concrete proposals and programs for boosting
the cooperation.
At the press conference which followed after the
negotiations the presidents of the two countries
particularly pointed out the warm and productive
atmosphere maintained during the whole process of
negotiations. `We had a very productive discussion and
tried to give practical solutions and suggestions,’
Kocharian said. The President of Cyprus Tassos
Papadopoulos noted that both during personal and
official meetings the Cyprian side assured the
Armenian president that it is ready to boost bilateral
friendly relations between the two countries and
expand the cooperation.
`Cyprus must speak in favor of Armenia in all the
international and political issues,’ the Cyprian
president stated. In the implementation of agreements,
the president underscored the role of the Armenian
community, which, according to Papadopoulos, is a
high-level community and is leading in all the
spheres. `The relations between our peoples and
countries are very warm and there exists an effective
dialogue which we tired to expand today particularly
in the economic sphere,’ the Armenian president noted.
According to Kocharian, Armenia and Cyprus have
always defended each other in different international
establishments. He said today Armenia has great
expectations in respect of acquiring experience of
Cyprus in the implementation of reforms within the
frameworks of the EU’s New Neighborhood Policy. The
Cyprian side has expressed readiness to support and
cooperate with Armenia in this field. `From the very
first moment Cyprus was for the inclusion of Armenia
in the EU’s New Neighborhood program, which supposes a
great number of reforms. We are ready to support in
their practical implementation,’ the Cyprian president
said.
The reporters present at the conference were
interested what approaches the sides have over the
process of Turkey’s membership to EU. `Turkey has
assumed these commitments on its own wish. All the
countries agree that Turkey must implement its
commitments but at the same time they do not want
negotiations be suspended. Punitive measures must be
undertaken to show Turkey that it must be
conscientious. At present it is being discussed what
punitive measures must be undertaken,’ president of
Cyprus said. According to Robert Kocharian, Armenia is
interested in the issue as it is connected with the
readiness and wish of Turkey to regulate its relations
with the neighboring countries, including Armenia. `It
is important whether the process of membership of
Turkey will be conducted fully or not. This will
directly influence on Armenian-Turkish relations,’
Armenian president said.
On response to the question about the position of
the Armenian president over Turkish-Cyprian relations,
Kocharian said that Armenia has many times stated in
the international organizations its position. `We
would like to see the Cyprus issue regulated in the
way the Cyprian people and government is picturing
it,’ the Armenian president said. Kocharian said that
he has invited his Cyprian counterpart to visit
Armenia next year.
Armenian president also met today with the Chairman
of the Cyprian House of Representatives Demetris
Khristofias. The latter said that they have reached
agreement over consolidation of political partnership,
expansion of legislative cooperation which will bring
to the development of cooperation in economic,
cultural, tourism and other spheres. `Good ties exist
between the parliaments of the two countries but it is
necessary to carry out more effective work for
developing them more,’ Demetris Khristofias said at
the press conference that followed the meeting.
Referring to the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by Turkey on its way to the EU, the president
of Armenia said, `The process of coming into terms
with the own history is a way which people must pass
on their own. We hope the process of membership to EU
will bring to the state when the discussions over this
issue in Turkey will be more open and the
intellectuals and society will have an opportunity to
express themselves freely,’ Kocharian said.
Within the framework of the visit the members of
the delegation also had separate meetings with their
Cyprian partners. Particularly Armenian deputy
foreign, trade and economic development and culture
and youth affairs ministers met with their
counterparts and discussed with them prospects for the
development of cooperation.
Gagik Gyurjian, deputy culture and youth affairs
minister, noted that during the meeting an agreement
has been reached over the all-encompassing program on
cooperation in the cultural sphere for 2006-2008.