Updates
Press releases
17
01, 2011
In honor of President Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan President Demetris Christofias and Mrs. Elsi Christofias gave a state dinner
In honor of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan, who are in Cyprus on a state visit, the President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Mrs. Elsi Christofias gave a state dinner.
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Toast of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the state dinner given by the President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias in honor of the President and First Lady of Armenia
Distinguished Mr. President and Mrs. Christofias,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am grateful for the warm reception offered to the delegation of the Republic of Armenia in friendly Cyprus.
High-level official visits have become traditional between Armenia and Cyprus. Although I have visited your hospitable land before, this is my first visit in the capacity of the President of the Republic of Armenia. This visit is yet another opportunity for reaffirming the centuries-old friendship between our peoples. It will promote our political dialogue, trade, and cultural ties.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our peoples share not only historical heritage, but also common spiritual and cultural values. Over centuries, we have overcome daunting challenges and suffered under foreign yoke. However, even in the absence of statehood, we have succeeded in maintaining strong national identity anchored in language, culture, and national character.
Cyprus is a country in which Armenians had settled long ago. Twice, in the ninth and tenth centuries, the Byzantine troops that liberated the island from the Arabs were led by the Armenian commanders Alexios and Vasil Haykazn. Later, close political and economic ties were established between the Kingdom of Cyprus and Armenian Cilicia. As a result, the Armenian community grew in numbers and prosperity, becoming the second largest community on the island. Shoulder to shoulder with their Cypriot brothers, Armenians defended the island against foreign invaders. In the 14th century, when the Genoese launched an armed attack, the Armenian armed unit contributed significantly to the defense of the island; the area defended by the Armenian unit became known as “the Armenian Gates.”
We witnessed mutual affection and respect in the most horrible days of the Armenian history, when Cyprus warmly embraced thousands of the Armenians, who managed to survive the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in Ottoman Turkey. The descendants of the Genocide survivors live and prosper in your country to the present day, which to a large extent should be attributed to the caring attitude of the authorities and the people of Cyprus.
During the events which commemorate the Armenian Genocide, Armenians and brotherly Cypriots together honor the memory of the innocent victims.
One of the monuments erected in Larnaca in the memory of the Genocide victims, was built through the immediate support of President Christofias.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We view Cyprus as Armenia’s traditional and close friend, a country with which we can talk about our concerns and get support.
With this regard, I will not forget to mention the Cyprus issue on which Armenia has always supported the position of the Republic of Cyprus in international structures. Our position on this matter remains unchanged and deliberate.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is no secret that when relations between two states are cloudless, the existing state of things is considered to be all right, and the emphasis is placed on developing relations with countries with which problems do exist. This is not the case with our relationship: in spite of the existing superb cooperation, we have always cherished what we had and have done our best to reach new heights. I am confident that we shall continue in the same spirit.
Allow me to raise my glass in honor of President Christofias and the distinguished First Lady.
Long live Cyprus!
Long live Armenia!
Steady advancement to the Armenian-Cypriot brotherhood!
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Toast of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the state dinner given by the President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias in honor of the President and First Lady of Armenia
Distinguished Mr. President and Mrs. Christofias,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am grateful for the warm reception offered to the delegation of the Republic of Armenia in friendly Cyprus.
High-level official visits have become traditional between Armenia and Cyprus. Although I have visited your hospitable land before, this is my first visit in the capacity of the President of the Republic of Armenia. This visit is yet another opportunity for reaffirming the centuries-old friendship between our peoples. It will promote our political dialogue, trade, and cultural ties.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our peoples share not only historical heritage, but also common spiritual and cultural values. Over centuries, we have overcome daunting challenges and suffered under foreign yoke. However, even in the absence of statehood, we have succeeded in maintaining strong national identity anchored in language, culture, and national character.
Cyprus is a country in which Armenians had settled long ago. Twice, in the ninth and tenth centuries, the Byzantine troops that liberated the island from the Arabs were led by the Armenian commanders Alexios and Vasil Haykazn. Later, close political and economic ties were established between the Kingdom of Cyprus and Armenian Cilicia. As a result, the Armenian community grew in numbers and prosperity, becoming the second largest community on the island. Shoulder to shoulder with their Cypriot brothers, Armenians defended the island against foreign invaders. In the 14th century, when the Genoese launched an armed attack, the Armenian armed unit contributed significantly to the defense of the island; the area defended by the Armenian unit became known as “the Armenian Gates.”
We witnessed mutual affection and respect in the most horrible days of the Armenian history, when Cyprus warmly embraced thousands of the Armenians, who managed to survive the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in Ottoman Turkey. The descendants of the Genocide survivors live and prosper in your country to the present day, which to a large extent should be attributed to the caring attitude of the authorities and the people of Cyprus.
During the events which commemorate the Armenian Genocide, Armenians and brotherly Cypriots together honor the memory of the innocent victims.
One of the monuments erected in Larnaca in the memory of the Genocide victims, was built through the immediate support of President Christofias.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We view Cyprus as Armenia’s traditional and close friend, a country with which we can talk about our concerns and get support.
With this regard, I will not forget to mention the Cyprus issue on which Armenia has always supported the position of the Republic of Cyprus in international structures. Our position on this matter remains unchanged and deliberate.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is no secret that when relations between two states are cloudless, the existing state of things is considered to be all right, and the emphasis is placed on developing relations with countries with which problems do exist. This is not the case with our relationship: in spite of the existing superb cooperation, we have always cherished what we had and have done our best to reach new heights. I am confident that we shall continue in the same spirit.
Allow me to raise my glass in honor of President Christofias and the distinguished First Lady.
Long live Cyprus!
Long live Armenia!
Steady advancement to the Armenian-Cypriot brotherhood!