Cyprus supports the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and emphasizes its importance not only for regional stability but also for Armenia’s prospects of joining the European Union, Cyprus House Speaker Anita Dimitriou said during her visit to Yerevan.

“We hope that a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be reached as soon as possible. National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan informed us about the ongoing efforts. We are ready to support all diplomatic initiatives aimed at securing peace. Ultimately, a peace treaty must not only be signed but also fully implemented,” Dimitriou stated, according to Armenpress.

She added that stability and peace would contribute to Armenia’s development, expansion of international cooperation, and strengthening of its European outlook.

“This will also assist Armenia’s accession to the EU and help foster closer relations with other countries. Where there is peace, countries flourish and prosper,” she said.

Dimitriou noted that Cyprus has itself faced a long-standing division for five decades and therefore understands the challenges of prolonged conflict. “That experience is why Cyprus supports the Armenian people in their quest for peace,” she concluded.

On March 26, Armenia’s National Assembly passed a bill in its final reading to begin the process of applying for EU membership. The initiative was introduced by the Eurovote civil movement and approved by the government on January 9. However, the EU has not issued an official invitation, and opposition parties have dismissed the measure as legally nonsensical. Armenia’s president has signed the bill into law.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk also remarked that Armenia “cannot sit on two chairs” and will eventually need to choose between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU.