CONSTANTINE AN. TASSOULAS: Mr. President of Armenia, dear friend, I warmly welcome you to the Presidential Mansion, noting that your visit is taking place ten years after the previous visit to Greece by the President of Armenia.
Your presence in Greece underscores the excellent bilateral relationship between our countries, which is based on deep religious, historical and cultural ties. But also, on unbreakable bonds of friendship that unite our peoples.
And I would like to emphasize that your visit aims –and this will be achieved – to further strengthen cooperation between our two countries in all areas of mutual interest.
Our two countries, Mr. President, having lived through the traumatic experience of barbarism, of a genocide against them under the regime of the Ottoman Empire, have established a mindset and a relationship that views in a positive way fellowship, solidarity and peace.
As for Greece’s foreign policy, it is guided by its belief in the implementation and enforcement of international law, but also by the principles of territorial integrity, national sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes between peoples and countries.
For these reasons, Greece views very positively Armenia’s efforts to sign a peace agreement in the region of the South Caucasus. An agreement that we hope will be signed soon. And its signing, it is certain, that will help to improve the situation in the wider region of the South Caucasus.
We in Greece are also following the developments in your relations with the European Union, the developments aimed at improving Armenia’s relations with the European Union. And we are determined to support, as a member of the European Union, your country’s relationship with Europe. And we note that you are already achieving this thanks to the reforms and pro-European orientation followed by your domestic and foreign policy.
That is why we wish every success and the best possible outcome to the European Political Community Summit, which will take place this May, in early May, in Armenia, as well as at the Summit that will follow immediately afterwards, also in Armenia, between your country and the European Union.
Having said all this, Mr. President, and welcoming you once again, I will be very happy during our meetings, both the tête-à-tête and the bilateral between our delegations, to discuss issues concerning the improvement of our bilateral relations, but also to review the broader situation in our region and the challenges we face, in order to draw the right conclusions and chart a common strategy on bilateral as well as international issues.
VAHAGN KHACHATURYAN (from an unofficial translation): Your Excellency, Mr. President, thank you very much for the warm welcome, the hospitality and your kind words. Armenia’s relations with Greece are of particular importance. They reflect our relations based on our culture, history and civilization.
We share common historical references. These relations have deepened particularly after the declaration of independence by the Republic of Armenia. This happened because the independent Republic of Armenia became a sovereign state and was able to decide with which countries and at what level it would develop relations. It was, therefore, a natural consequence that our relations with Greece would be particularly warm, relations which developed further in all areas, including the political, educational and economic fields. Of particular importance, of course, is our relationship in the modern world and in modern times.
The last few years have been particularly difficult for Armenia. We faced the threat of losing our sovereignty. Fortunately, these were overcome and we managed to escape this major crisis, thanks to the policies of the ruling party, the ruling class of Armenia. The path towards Europe was adopted. Last year, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted a law on Armenia’s accession to the EU (On Accession to the EU).
We already had very close relations with the European Union. Armenia was committed to the European principles. This is now a clear political stance. And cooperation in this framework, as with the European Union, and also with Greece, is of particular importance to us.
I would like to warmly thank the Greek government for its words and for the congratulations it extended to us after the signing of the memorandum on August 8, 2025.
Greece is among the countries that seek to resolve all issues through negotiations, in a courteous and peaceful manner.
We, at this time, Armenia and Azerbaijan have the ability to sign this final peace agreement in the immediate future.
After August 8, we have essentially entered a new era for our country. A peaceful era has begun for us. We are striving to consolidate peace and make it enduring. There is a will, and we feel that there is the same will on the part of Azerbaijan, and in the end, this process will lead to a comprehensive peace throughout the entire region.
We rely on international law and defend rights exclusively on the basis of international law. These are the principles that guide us in our domestic and foreign policy.
I hope that, in turn, during the discussions that will follow, we will focus our attention not only on bilateral issues, but also on international issues that concern the modern world. It is only natural that we discuss all the challenges facing humanity today.
Once again, I express my gratitude for the warm welcome you have extended to us. As you pointed out, the last official visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia to Greece took place 10 years ago, likewise, the corresponding visit of my counterpart, the President of the Hellenic Republic, took place just as long ago. Therefore, I am pleased to invite you to make an official visit to my country so that we may continue our discussions in Armenia. And just as I am enjoying Greece these days, the cradle of civilization, I invite you, Mr. President, to visit my country, which is also an ancient country with an ancient culture.
Signing of Memorandum
Immediately afterwards, and in the presence of the two Presidents, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Deputy Minister of Digital Governance, Christos Dermentzopoulos and the Deputy Minister of High Technology Industry of Armenia, Gevorg Mantashyan, for the cooperation of the two countries in the fields of Digitization, New Technologies, High Technology and Science.
Extensive talks between the two delegations followed.
Decoration Exchange Ceremony
Subsequently, the President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas, in a special ceremony, decorated the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer.
In turn, the President of Armenia decorated Mr. Tassoulas with the Order of Glory.
