2,700 ARMENIANS LIVE IN CYPRUS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenia and Cyprus established diplomatic relations in 1992, March, however, first Armenians established in Cyprus in the IV-V centuries. One of rulers of the island in the 9-10th centuries was an Armenian.
Though Armenians have lived in Cyprus for centuries, the present community on the island is mainly the result of immigration during and immediately after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 in Turkey. Currently, some 2700 Armenians live in Cyprus, mainly in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol.
With the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent partitioning of the island, the Armenian community lost significant properties, such as the Makaravank and Kantsvor monasteries, a primary school and church in Nicosia, and several other vital sites and assets.
The invasion also forced many Armenians to emigrate to Great Britain, Australia and Canada. Armenians in Cyprus are mainly craftsmen, running small and medium businesses, traders and government officials. The community is governed by the leaders of the Armenian Church Diocese and the National Council.
The Armenian language has always played a pivotal role in the preservation of the Armenian national identity. For this reason, organized Armenian communities in Cyprus always had their own Armenian-language newspapers. Currently three newspapers are published by the community and all major Armenian Diaspora organizations have their branches in Cyprus.