Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Armenia, Czech Republic Prime Ministers Meet in Prague
In the Czech Republic on an official visit, the Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan-delegation today met with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka in Prague. After the official welcoming ceremony, face to face talks were held between the Prime Ministers of the two countries, followed by a meeting in an expanded format.
The Czech Premier thanked Armenian Prime Minister Abrahamyan for accepting the invitation and paying an official visit to the Czech Republic: “I am convinced that the Armenian-Czech relations have reached an important milestone, and your visit is a strong signal of the importance the Czech Republic attaches to the deepening of relations with Armenia. He stressed that President Serzh Sargsyan’s state visit to the Czech Republic went a long way toward deepening bilateral relations.
Thanking for the invitation to visit the Czech Republic, as well as for the warm welcome, Prime Minister Abrahamyan expressed confidence that this visit will help further strengthen the ties between the two friendly peoples and give new impetus to the mutually beneficial cooperation.
“It is gratifying to note that relations and the political dialogue between Armenia and the Czech Republic stepped up in recent years,” - said the Prime Minister, adding that this was greatly contributed by the reciprocated visits of high-ranking officials at various levels, in particular, the state visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to the Czech Republic in January 2014.
Attaching great value to the current high level of political dialogue between the two countries, Hovik Abrahamyan noted that economic cooperation is still inferior to the level of political relations, and efforts need to be made to tap the existing big potential. The Prime Minister considered that cooperation in energy, agriculture, tourism, health care, information technology, culture, education and science may be quite promising.
In his opinion, to enhance economic cooperation it is necessary to establish relations between Armenian and Czech businessmen, and the business forum scheduled to be held in Prague will enable entrepreneurs to identify new opportunities and new markets.
From the standpoint of development of bilateral relations, Hovik Abrahamyan considered it necessary to have direct air links between the two countries, and in this context, pointed to the importance of the resumption of regular flights Yerevan-Prague-Yerevan, which in turn will become an additional stimulus for the development of tourism.
Hovik Abrahamyan is convinced that tourism may be expanded through active interregional cooperation between the two countries, successful examples of which are the cooperative relations between Vayots-Dzor Marz of Armenia and Karlovy Vary region, as well as the cooperation between the region of Hradec Kralove of the Czech Republic and Tavush Marz of Armenia, on which a memorandum is going to be signed.
The Czech Prime Minister also stressed the importance of furthering and developing the economic relations, noting that there are ample opportunities and prospects for expanding cooperation. He stressed the importance of the Armenian-Czech business forum in the context of enhancing economic cooperation. In terms of development of EU-Armenia cooperation, the Czech Premier stressed the importance of facilitated visa regime for Armenia with EU member states.
As to the intensification of economic ties between Armenia and the Czech Republic, the two prime ministers stressed the importance of effective activities of the intergovernmental commission, as well as the establishment of close ties between the Chambers of Commerce.
During the meeting the parties also touched upon the regional problems, the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The Czech Prime Minister stressed that his country supports the peaceful settlement of the conflict based on international principles, self-determination of nations and territorial integrity and supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group.
The two sides discussed other issues of mutual interest, touching on EU-Armenia and EAEC-Armenia cooperation.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Abrahamyan invited the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic to visit Armenia on a return official visit. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.
After the meeting in extended format, a signing ceremony was held covering bilateral cooperation documents, including a memorandum on trade, economic, humanitarian and cultural cooperation between the regional administration of Tavush Marz and the administration of the Czech Republic Hradec Kralove region.
After signing the document, the joint press conference of the Prime Ministers of Armenia and the Czech Republic was held. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stated in part, “We have just concluded a meeting with the Czech Prime Minister, Mr Bohuslav Sobotka in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Confirming the existing strong bilateral relations of friendship and our willingness to develop the existing relationship, we discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, which covered trade and economic relations, as well as prospective cooperation between the two countries in the fields of agriculture, tourism, energy, health, information technology, culture, education and science. A special emphasis was placed on the activities of the Armenian-Czech intergovernmental commission and the need for business forums, which is the best means of developing mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between the two countries. In terms of tourism development, we highlighted the importance of the resumption of regular flights Yerevan-Prague-Yerevan. We noted the great importance of expanding inter-regional cooperation between the two countries and implementing joint programs. Attaching great importance to the close cultural ties between the two friendly nations, I suggested holding Days of Culture in 2016 in the Czech Republic and in 2017 in Armenia respectively. In terms of deepening economic ties, great importance was attached to the business forum due to be attended by about 50 businessmen arrived from Armenia. Summing up the above, I can say that the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere inherent in friendly countries.”
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka of the Czech Republic said: “I thanked the Prime Minister of Armenia for accepting my invitation to visit the Czech Republic. Our two countries have traditionally enjoyed good and friendly relationship. Our meeting confirmed that both Armenia and the Czech Republic are interested in development and deepening of relations. Armenia is an important partner for the Czech Republic in the South Caucasus.”
The Czech Prime Minister stressed the importance of revitalizing economic relations, noting that the existing great potential is not fully used. He also noted the importance of developing cooperation in the spheres of energy, transport, education, culture, and noted that there is a serious potential for cooperation between regions. He expressed confidence that Hovik Abrahamyan’s official visit to the Czech Republic will contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
The Prime Ministers also answered the journalists’ questions.
In the Liechtenstein Palace in Prague, an official dinner was held on behalf of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka in honor of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan.
The Armenian Prime Minister made an entry in the book of honorable guests.
