On April 3 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis who arrived in Yerevan on an official visit. Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian said that Armenia attaches special importance to the further strengthening and development of the established effective cooperation with Cyprus and this visit is a good opportunity to sum up the achievements and to develop new projects and programs. “Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations the cooperation between Armenia and Cyprus has been uplifted which was marked by the reciprocal state visits of the leaders of the two countries,” added Minister Nalbandian. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Cyprus discussed the ways of further expanding of bilateral relations, and issues of regional and international agenda. The Ministers mutually stressed the significant heritage and contribution of the Armenian community in Cyprus to the fostering of inter-state cooperation. In the context of the Cypriot presidency in the EU during the second half of this year, the sides touched upon Armenia-EU cooperation and the projects implemented in that format. The progress achieved in Armenia’s rapprochement with the European family was underlined with satisfaction. In the course of the discussion over regional issues, the Ministers exchanged views on the settlement of the Cypriot issue. “Armenia really is concerned about the settlement of the Cypriot issue. Armenia has never accepted and will not accept the attempts to divide the brotherly Cyprus. The Cypriot issue should find its fair and legal solution,” underlined the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Minister Nalbandian presented his Cypriot counterpart the recent developments in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. In this regard, the Cypriot Foreign Minister noted that her country supports the peaceful solution of the issue by the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group and through negotiations based on international law. After the meeting, the Ministers signed a Declaration of mutual understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Press, information and public relations department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informs.

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