Two conflicts on agenda
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbadyan is on an official visit to Cyprus.
According to the press service of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yesterday Edward Nalbandyan and his Cypriot counterpart Ms. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis held talks.
The two ministers discussed in detail issues related to the political dialog, cooperation in international structures, the development of trade and economic ties, activities of the intergovernmental commission, military cooperation, and expansion of the legal and contractual field. They addressed steps aimed at promoting cooperation in renewable energy, tourism, and culture.
In the context of EU Council's Presidency of Cyprus, the sides exchanged views on Armenia-EU cooperation, and the negotiations on facilitation of the visa regime as the first step towards visa liberalization and the deep and comprehensive fee trade agreement. In this connection Ms. Kozakou-Marcoullis, who chairs the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU, noted that Cyprus is a supporter of Armenia's cooperation with the EU in all spheres.
Issues of resolution of the Cyprus dispute and the Artsakh problem were included in the agenda of talks.
Minister Kozakou-Marcoullis spoke about Cyprus' right to use natural resources in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, and Turkey's inadmissible threats and illegal actions regarding that right.
Speaking about the release of Azerbaijani murderer Ramil Safarov, she said: "We deeply regret and condemn the Azerbaijani president's decision to pardon the person who committed that hideous crime, as well as his glorification. We are deeply concerned about the impact of these steps on regional stability. Azerbaijan must respect the spirit and letter of the relevant international conventions and fulfill the diplomatic assurances and promises that it has given".
The foreign minister of Armenia and Cyprus discussed the developments in the Middle East.
Touching upon the Armenian President's initiative on the Armenian-Turkish normalization, the Cypriot Foreign Minister said:
"I would like to welcome the efforts of Armenian authorities to establish regional stability, including the efforts to normalize relations with Turkey, which, unfortunately, are not implemented because of the obstacles that Turkey has placed in the way of the protocols' ratification. As Cypriots, we have a long and sad history with Turkey, concerning non-fulfillment of agreements and reciprocal steps. Instead of respecting its signature, Turkey prefers to replace it with threats and subsequent illegal steps".
