The statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Ararat Mirzoyan, at the joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
“Honorable Minister,
My dear friend Konstantinos,
I am thrilled to return to Nicosia as Minister of Foreign Affairs. I fondly remember my previous visit, but today’s visit is of particular importance because, for the first time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has the honor to participate in and make a speech at the annual conference of Cyprus’s heads of diplomatic missions. Dear Konstantinos, thank you for this invitation. I was happy to participate in that format’s open and comprehensive discussion.
Referring to our bilateral discussions today, I emphasize the following four points.
First, we have expanded our partnership so that resident diplomatic missions in our capitals are simply mandatory. Therefore, I am happy to join you in announcing that Armenia and Cyprus will mutually open embassies in the capitals of both countries in the coming months. This will further strengthen our partnership and people-to-people contacts.
Secondly, in which direction and how can we strengthen our partnership? I am happy to record that trade between the two countries increased last year. This is precisely the direction we can and should develop with joint efforts and new results to indicate and ensure the continuation of positive dynamics.
The third point concerns the Armenia-EU partnership. This is my first visit to an EU member country after the historic decisions the EU Council took, namely, to start a visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia and assist Armenia under the European Peace Instrument. This is also symbolic because we know Cyprus’s support for these historic milestones. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Honorable Minister, as well as other EU and member state partners, for your support to our country, including democratic reforms by supporting, which, of course, we are committed to continue. Both decisions adopted by the EU Council will bring Armenia and Armenian citizens closer to the EU and vice versa. They will also contribute to Armenia’s resilience and thus to strengthening regional stability. In parallel, while we are working on the prospects for a new expanded Armenia-EU partnership agenda, we are discussing other new agenda items.
And finally, the fourth point. Today, we also discussed regional developments and the general situation around our countries. Our partnership, friendship, and cooperation have been further strengthened due to the need to overcome common challenges. We have cooperated closely and will continue to do so as long as there are issues, including of a humanitarian nature, that our people have faced as a result of conflicts and hardships. We appreciate the assistance that Cyprus has provided from Nagorno Karabakh by force displaced Armenians.
Dear colleagues, Our actions have proven that Armenia is committed to peace and stability. In this regard, we have always expressed solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus, supporting efforts to find a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem through UN Security Council resolutions and international law.
Our commitment is also reflected in our immediate neighborhood in the vision of establishing stable peace in the South Caucasus. So, distinguished guests, I have presented my colleague with the latest discussions, including the importance of signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, which enshrines mutual recognition of territorial integrity, based on the 1991 On the Declaration of Alma-Ata. I also underlined the same declaration and, therefore, 1991. the importance of ensuring the continuity of the demarcation process based on the border: this position is both clear and consistent. In addition, our proposals to create border incidents and arms control mechanisms have also been further developed, which we have yet to receive answers to; those are still in force. We must use the present historical moment to close the page on hostility and prepare a better future for the economic development and prosperity of the entire region at an essential crossroads.
Dear friend,
Again, thank you for the invitation, comprehensive discussions, and warmest welcome to my delegation.
Thank you very much.”
