Friday, 12 September 2008
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation headed by President of the Czech Republic Senate Przemisel Sobotka.
Greeting the guests, the Prime Minister pointed out that due to reciprocated efforts, Armenian-Czech economic, political and cultural relations have been strengthening and expanding recently. The business forum of July last was cited as an example. Considering that trade turnover between the two countries is still far from being satisfactory, Tigran Sargsyan emphasized the need for making a better use of the existing potential by exerting active efforts toward enhancing the level of bilateral exports.
The Prime Minister said to be pleased with the strengthening ties in the areas of research, education, culture as evidenced by the cooperation agreement signed between the Prague Karlovy University and the State University of Yerevan under which 12 students from Armenia are studying at the medical and humanities departments of Karlovy University.
The parties have referred to euro-integration efforts in Armenia. The Prime Minister appreciated the assistance received from the Czech Republic in this crucial matter and expressed hope that this visit of the President of Senate will contribute to the development of EU-Armenia relations as the Czech Republic will be assuming EU chairman ship as from January 1, 2009.
Either Mr. Sobotka said to be highly appreciative of the recently activated bilateral cooperation. He said this is his second stay in Armenia since the start of the year. In the meantime, other Czech officials, too, visited our country. In the words of Mr. Sobotka, the foregoing testifies to his country's strong interest in Armenia.
Then, the President of the Czech Senate spoke about the latest developments and increased tensions in the region. He said to be hopeful that there will be some remedy ridding Armenia of its logistics-caused economic bottlenecks. Mindful of the furtherance of bilateral relations, he prioritized the strengthening of inter-parliamentary ties over which an arrangement was said to have been reached with Armenian counterparts. In an effort to provide for diversified cooperation between the two countries, the reinforcement of the existing intergovernmental legal framework was emphasized on either side. In this respect, Tigran Sargsyan highlighted the need for soonest possible ratification of the agreements on encouragement and mutual protection of investments, international automobile transportations, as well as on cooperation between the respective agriculture ministries, and asked for Mr. Sobotka's support in this matter.
In conclusion, the Armenian Prime Minister thanked the government and the people of the Czech Republic for tangible assistance provided 20 years ago in the aftermath of the Spitak devastating earthquake. Tigran Sargsyan informed that later this year our country will be observing the earthquake's 20th anniversary, during which the people of Armenia are going to extend their gratitude to the representatives of donor countries - statesmen, individuals, organizations. Mr. Sobotka advised that either in the Czech Senate there will be held such commemorative events.
