Updates
Interviews and press conferences
17
01, 2011
President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement at the joint press conference with the President of Cyprus
President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement at the joint press conference with the President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, held in the framework of the Armenian President’s state visit to Cyprus.
Dear Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank President Christofias for the warm welcome and substantive talks we have held. I am happy to be hosted in friendly Cyprus.
We have had interesting and substantial discussions with President Christofias.
Strong relations established between our countries are based on centuries-long friendship of our two nations, while in modern times they are also solidified by common European democratic values.
The Armenian-Cypriot friendship has huge potential for development, and four agreements signed today will propel them further.
We have agreed to maintain the high level and intensity of our political dialogue.
I would like to note with satisfaction that recently cooperation between our defense structures has been developing vigorously. For me it bears also personal significance, since it was I – the then Minister of Defense of Armenia, who signed this Agreement back in 2002.
Speaking about the current state of our trade and economic relations, President Christofias and I agreed to take further steps to fully realize the existing potential of cooperation. I am confident that the Business Forum, held in the framework of this visit, will facilitate that cooperation, as will the first session of the Armenian-Cypriot intergovernmental commission held in Yerevan a couple of days ago.
We view as promising cooperation in the areas of tourism and food processing.
Further development of cultural ties established between our two states is essential, particularly through the active culture exchanges. Strengthening of the ties in the area of education is another component of our cooperation in which deepened cooperation among the higher education establishments has a special role.
We have certainly spoken about the Armenian-Turkish and Cypriot-Turkish relations.
Just like our friend Cyprus, we don’t resort to threats and political blackmail to solve our problems. I believe you do know that despite Armenia’s readiness to normalize relations, the Armenian-Turkish border remains closed and the two countries still do not have diplomatic relations.
Armenia is not opposed to neighboring Turkey’s membership at the EU. At the same time, we are confident that Turkey will not be able to pave a road toward the European Union without coming to terms with her past and without establishing normal relations with the neighboring states.
We have also discussed the prospects of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh and Cyprus issues. We concurred that each conflict must be solved based on its historical past and specifics. For that very reason we support each other’s positions regarding the resolution of these issues and believe that the principles of the right of people for self-determination and territorial integrity are not mutually exclusive.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Armenian-Cypriot relations have brilliant future, and I would like to assure you all that President Christofias and I will do everything to get there.
Thank you.
Dear Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank President Christofias for the warm welcome and substantive talks we have held. I am happy to be hosted in friendly Cyprus.
We have had interesting and substantial discussions with President Christofias.
Strong relations established between our countries are based on centuries-long friendship of our two nations, while in modern times they are also solidified by common European democratic values.
The Armenian-Cypriot friendship has huge potential for development, and four agreements signed today will propel them further.
We have agreed to maintain the high level and intensity of our political dialogue.
I would like to note with satisfaction that recently cooperation between our defense structures has been developing vigorously. For me it bears also personal significance, since it was I – the then Minister of Defense of Armenia, who signed this Agreement back in 2002.
Speaking about the current state of our trade and economic relations, President Christofias and I agreed to take further steps to fully realize the existing potential of cooperation. I am confident that the Business Forum, held in the framework of this visit, will facilitate that cooperation, as will the first session of the Armenian-Cypriot intergovernmental commission held in Yerevan a couple of days ago.
We view as promising cooperation in the areas of tourism and food processing.
Further development of cultural ties established between our two states is essential, particularly through the active culture exchanges. Strengthening of the ties in the area of education is another component of our cooperation in which deepened cooperation among the higher education establishments has a special role.
We have certainly spoken about the Armenian-Turkish and Cypriot-Turkish relations.
Just like our friend Cyprus, we don’t resort to threats and political blackmail to solve our problems. I believe you do know that despite Armenia’s readiness to normalize relations, the Armenian-Turkish border remains closed and the two countries still do not have diplomatic relations.
Armenia is not opposed to neighboring Turkey’s membership at the EU. At the same time, we are confident that Turkey will not be able to pave a road toward the European Union without coming to terms with her past and without establishing normal relations with the neighboring states.
We have also discussed the prospects of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh and Cyprus issues. We concurred that each conflict must be solved based on its historical past and specifics. For that very reason we support each other’s positions regarding the resolution of these issues and believe that the principles of the right of people for self-determination and territorial integrity are not mutually exclusive.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Armenian-Cypriot relations have brilliant future, and I would like to assure you all that President Christofias and I will do everything to get there.
Thank you.