Monday, June 26 2017 18:18

ArmInfo.Armenian-Greek political cooperation is at high level, however, there is an  unimplemented potential for activization of cooperation in other fields, Greece Deputy MFA Terens Nikolaus Quick, stated during the meeting with Armenian Parliament vice speaker Eduard Sharmazanov in Yerevan. The meeting was attended by Greece Ambassador to Armenia Nafsika Nancy Eva Vraila. 

In addition to the bilateral agenda, the parties also referred to  regional issues. In particular, speaking of the Karabakh problem,  Sharmazanov once again stressed that the Armenian side supports the  exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework  of OSCE Minsk Group. And the only obstacle in this way, as the  Armenian vice-speaker noted, is the militaristic policy of  Azerbaijan.

Speaking about the Armenian-Turkish agenda, Sharmazanov noted that  Ankara continues to adhere to the policy of denying recognition of  Armenian Genocide and keeps Armenia in blockade for years. He also  stressed that Turkey, not limited with this, permanently supports the  provocative policy of Azerbaijan with its statements. "For us, the  security and independence of Artsakh people is above all. Artsakh  people are fighting for independence. Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be part  of Azerbaijan. Artsakh is a historical Armenian territory, and its  destiny should be determined solely by the people living there, "said  the RA NA Vice Speaker.

In  his turn, Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece stated that Athens is  also committed to continuing active cooperation with Armenia. He also  thanked Armenian Parliament for the recognition of the genocide of  the Pontic Greeks in Ottoman Turkey in the early 20th century. As for  the Karabakh issue, according to the Deputy Minister, Athens is also  in favor of an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict within  the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group on the basis of international  norms and principles.

The parties also turned to the recent incident of an attempt to turn  the Istanbul Cathedral of St. Sophia into a Muslim mosque,  considering such a policy of the Turkish authorities not acceptable.  Sharmazanov, in particular, stressed that in this issue also Armenia  fully supports the position of Greece. The two sides stressed the  need to fully use the potential of Armenian and Greek communities in  two countries. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece handed  Sharmazanov an invitation of the Chairman of the National Assembly of  Armenia Ara Babloyan to pay a visit to Athens.