Armenia and Greece are seeking to further deepen their longstanding relations, with a focus on expanding economic, cultural, educational, and political cooperation, Armenian Ambassador to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan said in an interview with Greek Public Radio (ERT) Larissa Station.
Speaking during his visit to Larissa, Mkrtchyan highlighted the close historical and cultural ties between the two nations, emphasizing that the two countries are working to elevate their relations to the level of a strategic partnership.
The ambassador was visiting Larissa for the second time, following a visit last year during which he agreed with the city authorities to organize cultural events. His latest visit coincided with the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
The exhibition, featuring paintings and drawings by Armenian children aged 5 to 18, explores heroes from Greek and Armenian mythology. Organized by Universe Art, the project brought together works submitted by children from art schools across Armenia, with 100 selected pieces showcased to the public.
According to Mkrtchyan, the exhibition had previously been presented in Athens and Thessaloniki and received a very positive response. Larissa is the second Greek city where Armenia is marking the 35th anniversary of its independence through cultural events. Further celebrations are also being considered in Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli.
Shared cultural heritage
Speaking about the historical and cultural connections between the two nations, Mkrtchyan emphasized the significant influence of Greek culture on Armenia, particularly following the Hellenistic period.
He also noted that recent research has shed light on the influence of Armenian culture on ancient Greek city-states in the Mediterranean.
As another example of the shared heritage, the ambassador referred to the exhibition “From Anahit to Aphrodite,” organized by the History Museum of Armenia in cooperation with the British Museum, highlighting the parallels between the two mythological figures.
Mkrtchyan also announced an upcoming exhibition dedicated to ancient Armenia at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, scheduled to open on November 19. Beginning November 20, some 200 artifacts from Armenia will be presented to the Greek public.
He described Armenians and Greeks as close historical and cultural partners, pointing to their shared traditions and longstanding ties. He also recalled the warm reception given by Greek society to Armenians who sought refuge in Greece following the Armenian Genocide, noting their successful integration into Greek society.
Relations moving toward strategic partnership
Reflecting on 35 years of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Greece, Mkrtchyan said that bilateral ties are rooted in a shared history spanning several millennia.
He stressed that the two countries are seeking to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of areas, including education, culture, defense, political dialogue, academic and scientific research, information technology, high technologies, and municipal cooperation.
The ambassador noted that bilateral relations are supported by concrete agreements and ongoing projects, expressing hope that continued cooperation will eventually lead to a strategic partnership.
Promoting business and trade opportunities
Economic cooperation was another key topic addressed during the interview. Mkrtchyan said there is considerable potential for expanding trade and business ties between Armenia and Greece, particularly with the Thessaly region.
He recalled discussing the possibility of organizing a visit by representatives of Larissa’s business community, accompanied by the regional governor, Dimitris Kouretas, to Armenia during his previous visit. Although the visit has not yet taken place, he expressed hope that it would be organized soon.
The ambassador said he was also scheduled to meet with the governor and the president of the Larissa Chamber of Commerce to identify specific sectors in which businesses from both sides could cooperate.
Mkrtchyan highlighted Armenia’s agricultural production, industrial sector, and high-tech industry as areas offering opportunities for Greek businesses.
He also pointed to the recent renaming of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, saying that promoting Armenian exports and attracting investment have become formal responsibilities of Armenian diplomatic missions abroad.
According to the ambassador, improved transportation and trade connectivity with European markets will be essential for expanding economic cooperation. He expressed hope that the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey would facilitate the transportation of Armenian goods to Europe.
Mkrtchyan also welcomed the European Union’s application of automatic trade measures benefiting Armenia, describing Greece as an important gateway for Armenian products entering European markets.
Diplomacy as a tool for addressing global challenges
Discussing the role of diplomacy amid growing international tensions, Mkrtchyan said that diplomatic efforts have long been sidelined in favor of more aggressive policies.
He emphasized Armenia’s commitment to resolving international issues through engagement and multilateral diplomacy, citing two major international events hosted by Armenia in 2026.
In May, Armenia hosted the European Political Community Summit, bringing together European leaders and representatives of neighboring and partner countries, including Turkey, to discuss regional and international challenges.
Armenia also hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which brought thousands of delegates to the country to address global environmental challenges.
Both events, he said, received positive feedback from international partners and demonstrated the importance of international cooperation and dialogue.
Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Armenia expected
Mkrtchyan also expressed hope that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would visit Armenia in the coming months, potentially at the beginning of 2027.
If realized, the visit would mark the first-ever visit by a sitting Greek prime minister to Armenia, he noted.
The ambassador emphasized that high-level exchanges play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing them toward a strategic partnership.
He recalled that the Armenian president paid a state visit to Greece earlier in 2026, while the speaker of the Armenian parliament had also visited the country.
The ambassador concluded by stressing that the active high-level dialogue between the two countries reflects the strong momentum in Armenian-Greek relations and provides a solid foundation for further cooperation.