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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Cyprus held high level negotiation with the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, press department of the Armenian President's office reports.

As a result of bilateral negotiations signed were documents aimed at the development and deepening of bilateral cooperation in a number of areas. in particular, signed were the Program of cooperation for 2016-2018 between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia and the Education and Culture Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus, the Program of Events on cooperation in the area of science for 2016-2020 between Armenian Ministry of Education and Science and the Education and Culture Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus, Cooperation agreement concerning mutual academic recognition.

After the signing ceremony the heads of the two states made statements for the Press.

In his statement, President Anastasiades highlighted the high level bilateral relations of Cyprus and Armenia pointing out to the excellent cooperation between the two countries.

As reported by the website of the Cyprus Presidency, Nicos Anastasiades made a special reference to the Armenian community of Cyprus. He also cited the unanimous decision by the House of Representatives, on 2 April 2015, for the criminalization of the denial of the Armenian Genocide, noting that Cyprus was the first country, among the EU member states, to have recognized the Armenian Genocide.

“On every occasion and through our organizations in the Diaspora throughout the world we unite our voice with yours also against the refusal to recognize the Genocide,” President Anastasiades said, as quoted by his press office.

He added that during the meeting they also discussed the developments in the Cyprus problem and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

“I briefed the President on the efforts to achieve a solution which will reunite Cyprus, will set it free from the occupation troops, will create conditions for peaceful coexistence always on the basis of everything that has been agreed at various times, on the basis of a bi-zonal bi-communal federation.''

With regard to the Nagorno Karabakh, President Anastasiades reiterated Cyprus’ support to the efforts of the Minsk Group, within the scope of the OSCE, for a peaceful solution of the conflict through a dialogue and away from the use of violence. “Cyprus acknowledges the honorable efforts made by Armenia for the peaceful settlement of this, also protracted, issue”, he said.

In concluding, the Cyprus President said that his state is a firm supporter of the substantial deepening of Armenia’s relations with the EU.