Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the joint statements with the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that his visit is an important step in consolidating the already excellent relations between the two countries.

“They can become even more productive in the face of the common challenges we face,” said the prime minister, noting that they will then have the opportunity to discuss their bilateral cooperation in areas such as renewable energy sources and modern technology.

“We also cooperate in the defense sector”he continued, while saying that with his Armenian counterpart they are also discussing the ways in which the commercial relations of the two countries will be strengthened.

Mr. Mitsotakis said that they also discussed the developments in our wider region.

“Our positions are common. We firmly stand against any threat and use of force, always on the side of international law, absolutely committed to respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state. We believe in dialogue. Armenia after the war of 2023 better understands the values ​​of peace. The decisions you make will shape the course of your country in the years to come.”underlined Mr. Mitsotakis.

The prime minister pointed out that the approximately 100,000 Nagorno-Karabakh refugees must be relieved. “Greece will stand by you in every diplomatic effort for a permanent peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Only a viable agreement can pave the way. Greece supports your “Crossroads of Peace” initiative announced by the Prime Minister in December to turn the area into a commercial hub. In the end, only the common prosperity silences the guns and the progress of the people repels the plans of authoritarian leaders”underlined Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He also noted that we fully support Armenia’s orientation towards the West and that it is natural that our country is ready to contribute to the building of this new liberal democracy while he said that we stand by Armenia in protecting its great heritage in areas such as Nagorno-Karabakh.

He did mention that all the conditions are there to reach a bilateral agreement which will concern the immigration and employment of Armenians in Greece.

“The many things that connect our peoples will make their inclusion in the Greek reality easier. I have many Armenian friends. That is why I want to thank you for your presence and to honor the great community of Armenians in Greece. They are a model of anticipation, harmonious coexistence, offering. It is the most fruitful link in the chain of friendship and solidarity that unites our peoples”added Mr. Mitsotakis.

Pashinyan: Our relations are developing at a high speed – I thank Greece for its help

And the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated that his visit to Athens is important and they have the opportunity to discuss both bilaterally and Armenia’s relations with the EU. Alongside thanked Greece for its support to the Armenian community living in our country while noting that there is also a Greek community in Armenia which contributes to economic and commercial life. “It reflects the historical ties between the two countries. Our relations are developing with great speed and as a result of today’s visit we will give new promotion. You also emphasized the part of defense and security. We have a long history of cooperation and I am sure it will be more effective”write down.

The Prime Minister of Armenia also thanked Greece for the development of his country’s cooperation with the EU while he said that soon the results of the reforms will be even more visible.

He mentioned that they also discussed the displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and regional developments.

“I informed Mr. Prime Minister about the efforts for a reconciliation agreement on behalf of Armenia and that we have reached this road to be able to record progress. In the near future, there will be a meeting at the level of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and I hope that we will make progress,” he added.

He also stated that on a bilateral level, Greece and Armenia cooperate in many fieldsthey have good economic progress and it is an opportunity to build and take steps to deepen this cooperation.

“We have a high level of dialogue. Bilateral trade is not impressive. I hope that in the framework of the intergovernmental committee meeting we will have the opportunity to discuss the details of our commercial cooperation”he added.

The entire Mitsotakis statement

“I welcome today in Athens with special joy the friendly Prime Minister of Armeniain a visit which is an important step in consolidating the already excellent relations between our two countries, Greece and Armenia.

They are relationships that come from centuries, but they can become even more productive in the face of the common challenges we face. Especially now that Armenia, with the assistance of the European Union, acquires stable and transparent structureswhich and will allow attracting investment.

We will have the opportunity to discuss our bilateral cooperation afterwards in areas such as renewable energy sources and modern technology, a cooperation that is increasingly strengthened. In this context, a Memorandum of Cooperation has already been signed between “Enterprise Greece” and “Enterprise Armenia”.

We also deal in the defense sector, having entered into a special agreement since last Decemberwhile with Mr. Prime Minister we are discussing about how we can strengthen our trade relations more broadly.

We also discussed the developments in our wider regionfinding that here too our positions are common: both countries stand firmly against any threat and any use of force.

We are always on the side of International Lawwe remain absolutely committed to respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each state, we believe in dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes. After all, after the 2023 war, Armenia understands better than anyone the value of peace.

And the decisions you are called upon to make now, dear Nikol, will largely shape the course of your country for years to come. I listened with particular interest to your ideas and your vision of how you intend to navigate the new strategic environment.

Actually, we had a chance to discuss it: the 100,000+ refugees of Nagorno-Karabakh must be relieved. I want you to know that Greece will stand by you in every diplomatic effort for a permanent peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

And I insist that only a viable agreement between Yerevan and Baku can pave the way for a better tomorrow in the South Caucasus. That is why Greece – we discussed it – supports the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, which the Prime Minister announced last December, so that the wider region can be transformed from a theater of conflict into a commercial hub that will connect the Black Sea , the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean Sea. Because in the end only the common prosperity makes the guns fall silent and only the progress of the people repels the plans of authoritarian leaders.

With the Prime Minister we also discussed the reforms he aims to promote, which we fully support, the orientation of Armenia towards the West. It is natural, as a member of the European Union and NATO, that our country is ready to contribute with know-how and experience to the construction of this new liberal democracy.

Such as next to historical Armenia we will always be in its struggle to protect its great cultural heritage, in zones such as Nagorno-Karabakh. Greece, as you know, attaches particular importance to the protection of cultural heritage, for the promotion of which it is actively active with international initiatives, especially within the framework of UNESCO.

End, there are all the conditions to reach a bilateral agreement soon which will concern the immigration and employment of Armenians in Greece. The friendly country has a vibrant workforce with distinct skills in all fields of work. While, on the other hand, the many things that connect our peoples will make their integration into the Greek reality easier.

It’s something I know personally, I have many Armenian friends. And for that, dear Nikol, I want to thank you for your presence today in Athens, but also to honor in your person the great community of Armenians in Greece. All those who, for years now, have been an example of excellence, harmonious coexistence, contribution to Greek society. It is maybe the strongest, the most alive, the most fruitful link in this chain of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that will always unite our countries and our peoples.

Again, dear Nikol, welcome to Greece.”