On 1 March, Armenia’s parliamentary speaker Ararat Mirzoyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to the Republic of Armenia Nafsika Nancy Eva Vraila.

The National Assembly reported to NEWS.am that the parliamentary speaker greeted the Ambassador, highlighted the centuries-old historic, spiritual and cultural ties established between the two nations and assured that the newly elected Armenian parliament was willing to further deepen and strengthen the established relations.

Mirzoyan attached importance to the fact that the Greek parliament adopted a draft law prescribing criminal liability for denial of genocides in September 2014 and noted that on 24 March 2015, the National Assembly of Armenia unanimously adopted a statement condemning the genocide perpetrated against Pontic Greeks and Assyrians in the Ottoman Empire.

Nafsika Nancy Eva Vraila congratulated Ararat Mirzoyan on being elected chairman of the National Assembly and attached importance to the parliamentary elections held in line with the constitutional norms in Armenia.

Talking about the strong and neighborly ties between the Greeks and Armenians, the Ambassador expressed willingness to continue the joint programs and deepen cooperation.

Touching upon the development of inter-parliamentary relations, the parties underlined the need for active contacts and reciprocal visits of the parliamentary friendship groups and in other formats.

The interlocutors discussed the agenda for the Armenian-Greek multisector cooperation and attached special importance to the promotion of trade and economic relations, highlighting the fact that there is great unused potential for development and deepening of the partnership. The Ambassador informed that Greek businessmen are scheduled to visit Armenia to discuss the perspectives for expanding economic ties.

Talking about the joint cultural and educational programs under implementation, Mirzoyan valued the support that the Greek government has been providing to Armenia in the military and civic education sectors for years.

The Armenia-Greece-Cyprus cooperation at different levels and the ratification of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement were touched upon during the meeting.