YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s official visit to the Republic of Cyprus—which currently chairs the European Union—kicked off Thursday, MFA press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. 

Immediately upon arrival in the capital city Nicosia, Nalbandian was received by Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, who stated that he still has fond memories from his visit to Armenia and that he was happy to receive Armenia’s President in Cyprus in 2011. 

Minister Nalbandian conveyed to Christofias Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s greetings and well wishes, and noted that Sargsyan likewise fondly remembers his visits to Cyprus.  

The Cypriot President and the Armenian FM noted that the contacts between Armenia and Cyprus have become more intensive in the past several years and the bilateral ties are on a new level. They shared the view that Armenian-Cypriot relations can be considered exemplary.

Subsequently, Dimitris Christofias thoroughly presented the current developments in the settlement of the Cyprus issue. In his turn, Edward Nalbandian noted that Armenia highly appreciates Cyprus’ constructive approach and initiatives toward the resolution of this matter, but expressed regret that the Turkish side is not properly responding to these initiatives. In this context, Nalbandian underscored the joint declaration, which was adopted during Armenian President’s visit to Nicosia, and which specifies mutual support of one another’s approach with respect to settlement of the Cyprus and Nagorno-Karabakh issues.     

President Christofias also informed that the Armenia-European Union (EU) cooperation was reflected on during a meeting in the context of Cyprus’ EU chairmanship.   

Separately, Armenia’s FM briefed the Cypriot President on the developments following the Azerbaijani murderer’s release as a result of a Hungarian-Azerbaijani arrangement and, in this regard, he highly appreciated the international community’s unanimous and unequivocal response to this incident. 

On the evening of the same day, Edward Nalbandian attended a reception devoted to the 21st anniversary of Armenia’s independence and the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Armenia and Cyprus.  

“The Armenian-Cypriot interstate relations have a special content and quality. We have signed more than twenty agreements, which are foundations for implementing projects. There is an effective cooperation between the two parliaments. Today we have a firm will to open up new horizons. Restitution of the Armenian statehood was the Armenian people’s age-old dream. This is the accomplishment of our people,” Armenia’s FM specifically said in his welcoming remarks.

Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias likewise addressed and congratulated the reception attendees.