Republican Party of Armenia

 On October 13 the RA National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov being in Geneva on a working visit within the framework of the 131st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union met with Marios Garoian, Armenian member of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Cyprus, and Averof Neofytou, the member of the House of Representatives and the Head of the Delegation of Cyprus to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The NA Deputy Speaker has noted that the historical rich legacy, the spiritual values, as well as the mutual understanding and trust between Armenia and Cyprus unite the two countries.

Eduard Sharmazanov has highly assessed Marios Garoian’s personal contribution to the strengthening and development of the Armenian-Cypriot friendly relations, especially during the period when he has been Speaker of the Parliament of Cyprus.

The NA Deputy Speaker has greatly highlighted the close cooperation and mutual support of the parliaments of the two countries in different international and regional organizations. He has noticed that Cyprus is one of the EU member countries with which Armenia has shaped close and friendly relations: a fact that gives an opportunity to Armenia to rely on the support of Cyprus, particularly, over the issues of bilateral interest within the framework of the Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO and BSCE Parliamentary Assemblies.

Eduard Sharmazanov has also touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh and Cypriot problems, noticing that the positions of Armenia and Cyprus do not contradict each other. The NA Deputy Speaker has considered inadmissible the occupation of a part of Cyprus and blockade of Armenia by Turkey.

Talking about the necessity of the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide Eduard Sharmazanov has expressed his gratitude that the Parliament of Cyprus has been one of the first countries to recognize the Armenian Genocide. He has invited Marios Garoian to take part in the events to be held in connection with the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan.

The NA Deputy Speaker proposed Marios Garoian and Averof Neofytou to hold an exhibition dedicated to the Armenian Genocide in the Parliament of Cyprus: the Cypriot side has given its consent.
On October 13 the RA National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov being in Geneva on a working visit within the framework of the 131st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union met with Bronwin Bishop, Speaker House of Representatives of the Parliament of Australia, Head of the Delegation of Australia to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The NA Deputy Speaker has stated that today the inter-parliamentary cooperation has its unique place in the development of inter-state relations. He has noted that the mutual visits can serve as a good basis for the extension and strengthening of inter-parliamentary relations. Bronwin Bishop in her turn has highlighted the deepening of cooperation between the two parliaments.

Eduard Sharmazanov has positively assessed the balanced unbiased position of Australia in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh. He has expressed his gratitude towards the legislative body of the State of the New South Wales for the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the recognition of the right to self-determination of Artsakh people in 2012.

The NA Deputy Speaker noted with satisfaction that in 1997 the Armenian Genocide was condemned with a relevant resolution by the legislative body of the New South Wales. Eduard Sharmazanov underlined that the Armenian Genocide was not only a crime directed to the Armenian people, but also to the whole humanity, and the recognition and condemnation of such crimes is important for their further prevention. Eduard Sharmazanov expressed hope that the Parliament of Australia would debate the issue of condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.