President met with the Archbishop of Cyprus and representatives of the Armenian community of Cyprus

On the last day of his official visit to Cyprus, President Serzh Sargsyan on March 16 met with the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II.

The President of Armenia stressed the importance of inter-faith solidarity and mutual respect toward each other’s religion, which according to the President, is a pillar of the unshakable Armenian-Cypriot friendship and today also the issue receives due high-level attention and attitude. Underscoring that mutual sympathy between the Armenian and Cypriot peoples is conditioned also by the adherence to and respect toward the same all-human values, Serzh Sargsyan noted that the important mission of enrooting and preserving these values has been carried out for centuries by Church, while for the Armenian nation, which at some point was deprived of its statehood, the Armenian Church in part took upon itself also the role of the state. The President expressed confidence that in our times, the issue of strengthening of spiritual values carries special import, considering the fact the process of globalization is full not only of positive but also numerous negative consequences and to resist them is the imperative, especially for small nations, from the viewpoint of preservation of the national identity, cultural and spiritual values. During the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the authorities of Cyprus, the Church and the friendly people of Cyprus for their permanently considerate attention toward the Armenian nation and especially toward our compatriots residing in Cyprus. The Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II noted with satisfaction that brotherly relations with the Armenian people have historical roots. According to the Archbishop, the Church of Cyprus has excellent relations with the entire Christian world, including with the Armenian Church and these relations also reinforce the interstate relations. The Archbishop expressed confidence that the future holds many good days for the brotherly Armenian and Cypriot nations. He wished Armenia and the Armenian people peace and prosperity.

In the framework of his official visit to Cyprus, Serzh Sargsyan on March 16 in Nicosia visited also Narek Armenian school, familiarized with the conditions and programs of the school, and watched the cultural program which was prepared by the students for the visit of the President of Armenia. The President laid a wreath at the monument for the victims of the Armenian Genocide located in the courtyard of the school and Saint Mary’s Church, visited the Church, and met with the representatives of the Armenian community of Cyprus.