The official visit of the Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos in Armenia is completed.
Mister Avramopoulos was received by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, and he also met with his counterpart Seyran Ohanyan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Εdward Nalbandyan.
In the morning, the Minister of National Defence laid wreath at the Memorial dedicated to the Armenian Genocide.
After Mr. Avramopoulos’ meeting with his Armenian counterpart, the following statements were made:
S. OHANYAN: I would like to welcome in Armenia the Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, Dimitris Avramopoulos.
The bilateral defence cooperation between Armenia and Greece has a long history. It is based on the friendship, the willingness for mutual assistance and both nations’ common approaches. It should be noted that the cooperation is also founded on solid legal basis and carried out on an annual planning format.
At the same time the two nations have common approaches towards strengthening the regional and international security environment. In this context, I would like to remind that Armenia gained its first experience in
international peacekeeping missions with the help of Greece, for which we are much grateful.
The cooperation between the two states is highly valued; it includes the entire instructional, training and educational potential that is available in the Armenian and Greek military forces.
We also highly appreciate the advisory exchange with our Greek partners around different topics.
The collaboration gives an opportunity to discuss not only bilateral cooperation, but also issues regarding regional and global security and defence.
Once again I would like to welcome my friend Mr. Avramopoulos and avail myself with the opportunity to congratulate the Greek nation on its national holiday, which was celebrated yesterday, October 28th. I wish you and the people of Greece peace, happiness and prosperity.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: I would like to express my gratitude and my warmest thanks to my colleague and good friend, the Minister of Defence of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan, for his invitation and very cordial welcome.
Greece and Armenia are two countries with very strong and greatly deep, in history, relations that last for the last three thousand years. Through these millennia, we are marching side by side having experienced the same dramatic events but finally we came out victorious and today we both enjoy Democracy and freedom.
Our relations are based on mutual respect, solidarity and friendship. And the more we move ahead, the more we discover new fields of cooperation, enhancing our relations.
In the field of defence we cooperate very successfully since 1996. Mister Seyran Ohanyan earlier described the whole spectrum of our cooperation in the field of defence.
My visit today is marking a new beginning and inaugurates a new chapter of cooperation, not only in the field of defence. As I had the opportunity in Athens, when I welcomed my colleague then the Minister of Foreign Affairs in my capacity as Foreign Minister at that time, we decided to move ahead and create a new framework of political, cultural, economic and of course defence cooperation.
We both dispose very capable defence systems. The cause, the first aim we have to serve is the integrity of our countries. But at the same time, we have received the messages of our times. And we are both determined to contribute in peacemaking efforts in order to promote the cause of peace, stability, cooperation and friendship in our region.
In this spirit, today we decided to open a new chapter in our bilateral defence relations. And very soon, given the opportunity that will be provided to us after the visit of the Minister in Athens, that I hope it will take place very soon, we will sign a new defence agreement.
So, this is the message we want to extend today to everybody; a message of peace and stability to all our neighbours, but also a message of our determination to work closer in deepening, enlarging and enhancing our bilateral relations in the field of defence and not only.
Mr. Minister, dear colleagues, thank you very much for your hospitality.
From the very beginning we landed on the sacred land of Armenia, we felt like being home.
And I officially repeat my invitation for you to visit as soon as possible Athens, where we shall have the opportunity to reciprocate your hospitality.
I would like you to know that, although Greece is in the midst of the economic crisis, just like the entire Europe, we maintain one of the best and most efficient defence systems. A system that, of course, is serving our national interest but, at the same time, it is serving the noble cause of peace and stability in our neighbourhood.
So, I want to express again my thanks and my gratitude for the hospitality and I look forward to receiving you in Athens.