K. Papoulias: Both Armenians and Greeks suffered from Turkey

National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan’s delegation started official visit to Greece on October 12.

According to NA press office, NA Speaker’s delegation was hosted by President of Greece Karolos Papoulias in Athens.

Welcoming the guests the Greek President highly assessed the centuries-old friendly and warm relations between the two countries.

“Both Armenians and Greeks suffered from Turkey,” President Papoulias stated. He expressed regret that Turkey has not yet apologized for the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire.

The Greek President attached importance to Speaker’s visit expressing confidence that President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Greece due in January will further strengthen friendly relations between the two countries and will promote interstate cooperation. He also attached importance to expansion of interparliamentary and economic cooperation.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh settlement the President of Greece attached importance to peaceful resolution of the conflict within OSCE Minsk Group.

Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan thanked Greek President for a warm welcome mentioning that strong partnership based on centuries-old friendship has been established with Greece since Armenia’s independence.

H. Abrahamyan stressed he considers Armenian-Greek cooperation as an important component in the context of Armenia’s integration to Europe taking into consideration active involvement of Greece in European structures.

The parties also addressed Armenian-Turkish relations, discussed problems faced by the Armenian community of Greece.