YEREVAN (Yerkir)–On December 14–an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) delegation–headed by bureau representative Hrant Margarian–held several meetings with the leaders of various Cypriot political parties.
The ARF delegation met with Cyprus Socialist Democratic Party (EDEK) chairman Yanakis Omiru–who–underscoring the centuries-long friendship between the Armenia’s and Greeks–spoke about the Republic of Turkey’s attempt to join the European Union–and the need for it to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and properly address the issue of the Armenian genocide before gaining membership.
Hrant Margarian pointed to the close ideological ties between the ARF and EDEK–and noted that the meeting is aimed at conveying the ARF’s concerns about Turkey’s EU bid ahead of the December 17 summit. Echoing Omiru’s statemen’s–Margarian added that Cyprus is expected to take a firm stance against Turkey’s entry and bring forth the genocide issue. Omiru–in turn–said that his party is in favor of using Cyprus’s right to veto Turkey’s membership if it fails to meet such requiremen’s.
During his stay in Cyprus–Margarian was also received by Dimitris Christofias–president of the Cyprus parliament and secretary general of the Communist Party–AKEL. At the meeting–the bureau representative highlighted the ARF’s stance and noted that Turkey–through the blessing of the United States–would try to derail the system of values held in high esteem throughout Europe.
In response–Christofias noted that his heart "deman’s a veto," but added that his party will support Cypriot President Tassos Papadopulos’s decision.
