On June 6, RA President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Dimitris Christofias. The sides discussed the present Cypriot-Armenian relations and prospects of their development as well as exchanged views on the world and regional problems.

The two leaders stressed their countries’ readiness for further contributiuon to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group. The Armenian and Cypriot Presidents were of the unanimous opinion that the aim must be achieved by exclusively peaceful means on the basis of international legal norms, which include nations’ right to self-determination.

President Sargsyan pointed out that Armenia welcomes a coordinated process of negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international law, UN Charter and Europen standards.

Talking about further development of the bilateral relations, the Presidents pointed out their intention to take measures to establish strong ties in the economic and trade sectors, as well as in tourist industry and culture. Specifically, the centuries-old friendly bilateral relations will promote cultural cooperation – Cyprus became a second motherland for the Armenians that survived the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. The Cypriot President pointed out that the Armenian and Cypriot peoples have common interests, culture and repsect for each other.

The sides also agreed to develop the Armenian-Cypriot cooperation within European agencies. The Presidents also reached an agreement simplifying the visa regime as a fundamental principle of Eastern Partnership. Pesident Christofias stressed his country’s willingness to support Armenia in its dialogue with the European Union as it has wide experience in joining the European Union.

Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias arrived for a two-day visit to Armenia at the invitation of RA President Serzh Sargsyan. He invited his Armenian counterpart to pay a return visit to Cyprus.