NICOSIA (CNA–Xinhua)–Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides met Tuesday with Armenian Foreign Minister–Vartan Oskanian–who is paying a four-day official visit to Cyprus.
Speaking to the press after the Presidential Palace meeting–the Armenian minister said "it was a big honor to meet the President today. I should say this was the culmination of my visit."
Oskanian expressed the hope "for a much more efficient and productive relationship between Armenia and Cyprus."
He said "there are many issues on which we have common concerns and interests and we agreed to try and co-ordinate our efforts more in international fora."
Oskanian also expressed the hope President Clerides will pay an official visit to Armenia during 1999.
The parliamen’s of Armenia and Cyprus are discussing the idea of forming a friendship group for further development of their relations–Oskanian said Tuesday.
The idea was discussed Tuesday at a meeting between Oskanian and Nicos Anastasiades–deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (parliament) of Cyprus.
They also discussed the Cyprus issue–the situation in Armenia as well as bilateral relations.
Oskanian expressed the hope that the group will be formed after parliamentary elections in Armenia–which are scheduled to be held in May 30.
On his part–Anastasiades said Cyprus will help Armenia in its efforts to become a full member of the Council of Europe.
