Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan in Athens on Tuesday morning, only a half day after the former participated in a Paris conference convened to consider more support for Ukraine.
As expected, both sides reiterated the leitmotif of “historic ties” down through the centuries between the Greek and Armenian peoples, along with customary references to boosting bilateral trade ties and investments.
It was Mitsotakis, however, that confirmed that Athens and Yerevan are “collaborating in the defense sector,” as he said.
With Armenia facing off against an increasingly aggressively Azerbaijan, whose military recovered the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave in a lighting war last year, Mitsotakis said during a joint press conference that “…we are steadfastly opposed to any threat or use of force; we’re always on the side of international law and absolutely dedicated to respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state. We believe in dialogue. Armenia, after the war of 2023, better comprehends the value of peace. The decisions you will take will shape the course of your country in the coming years,” he said, adding that Athens supports Yerevan’s initiatives for a permanent peace with its neighbor.
He also cited the prospect of a bilateral agreement to facilitate employment in Greece of Armenian citizens.
On his part, Pashinyan thanked the Greek side for its support of the expatriate Armenian community living in the east Mediterranean country, while expressing confidence that bilateral defense and security cooperation will be boosted.
In reference to displaced ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, he briefed Greek leadership over his government’s efforts to achieve a reconciliation agreement with Baku.
“A ministerial meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be held in the near future, and I hope we will make progress,” Pashinyan said.
