NICOSIA: Armenian President expresses sorrow over division of Nicosi

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Nov 24 2006

Armenian President expresses sorrow over division of Nicosia

24/11/2006

It is very sad to see Nicosia divided and know that this is happening
in Europe, President of Armenia Robert Kocharian said on Friday,
after visiting the ceasefire line in Nicosia.
”It is very sad to see this old city divided and know that this is
happening in Europe. Not only the city was divided, by also human
lives were lost and many people are still missing,” Kocharian wrote
in the visitors’ book.
Accompanied by Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zampelas and other officials,
Kocharian and his entourage visited the ceasefire line, dividing the
government-controlled areas from the Turkish occupied northern part
of the island, since the Turkish invasion of 1974.
The Armenian President, who is on a state visit to Cyprus, wished
that the island will be united again and that the people of Cyprus
will live under conditions of prosperity and peace.
Earlier, Zampelas presented the Golden Key of the City to the
Armenian President during an official ceremony at the town hall.
In his address at the ceremony, Kocharian said that ”although this
is my first visit in Cyprus, all things around me seem so familiar
that I get the impression that sooner or later people will start
talking to me in Armenian.”
The Armenian President wished that justice will prevail in Nicosia,
just as in the case of Berlin, were the wall was demolished and now
the city has become a symbol of peace.
”I was recently in Berlin. It is a city that proved how justice in
the end prevails. I wish that Nicosia is again reunited and the
Cyprus issue is resolved according to the wishes of the Cypriot
people,” he said.
He also made a proposal that the capital cities of Yerevan and
Nicosia become twinned.
In his address, the Nicosia Mayor referred to the traditionally
friendly relations between Cyprus and Armenia.
Referring to the Armenian people living in Cyprus, he said that they
are an important part of the Cypriot people and contribute to a great
extent to the political, economic and social prosperity of the
island.
Later on, the Armenian President visited the Armenian Archbishopric,
Church and School in Nicosia.
A warm welcome was awaiting him by Armenians living in Nicosia, who
applauded and thanked him for his visit.
Kocharian was welcomed by Archbishop of the Armenian Church in Cyprus
Varoujan Hergelian.
Armenian pupils, holding Cypriot and Armenian flags, greeted the
official Armenian delegation and prepared a cultural programme with
traditional dances for its members.
Speaking to the press, Representative of the Armenian Religious Group
at the House of Representatives Mahdesian Vartkes referred to the
friendly relations between Armenia and Cyprus, saying that the living
conditions of Armenians on the island are excellent.