At the invitation of Czech Senate President Milan Štěch, an Armenian delegation led by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan is in the Czech Republic since Monday for a three-day official visit.

On Wednesday, the delegation first met with Czech First Deputy PM and FM Karel Schwarzenberg.

The Czech FM underscored Abrahamyan’s visit in terms of deepening Armenian-Czech ties. Highlighting the need for peace and stability in South Caucasus, he noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must solely be resolved by way peace talks and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group,       

In his turn, Hovik Abrahamyan highly appreciated the Czech authorities’ balanced position with respect to the Karabakh conflict and extended his thanks for the Czech MFA’s harsh assessment concerning the Ramil Safarov case. He noted that European integration is a priority in Armenia’s foreign policy and that the country’s interaction with EU has expanded. In terms of stimulating Armenian-Czech interaction, the NA leader underscored the need for the Armenian citizens being issued Czech Republic visas at its diplomatic representation in Armenia.       

Next, Hovik Abrahamyan and the delegation under his headship met with Speaker Miroslava Němcová of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. Němcová highly appreciated the Armenian Parliament leader’s visit and highlighted the need to develop bilateral relations.      

In his turn, the NA Speaker expressed a hope that his visit will contribute to further developing bilateral ties. In his words, the Armenian authorities attach a special importance to the EU Eastern Partnership Project and actively partake in its implementation. Abrahamyan pointed to the developing economic ties between both countries and noted that favorable conditions are created for making investments in Armenia.     

Also, the parties discussed other matters and underscored the need for resolving the Karabakh conflict pacifically and within the OSCE Minsk Group format. 

Head of the Czech Chamber of Deputies expressed a readiness to develop interstate ties within EU circles, too, and noted that the Czech Republic and other EU countries favor a peaceful and a political discourse-based solution to the conflicts with neighboring states and that they welcome Armenia’s stance in this regard.   

On the same day, Hovik Abrahamyan also met with His Eminence, Cardinal Dominik Duka, the Archbishop of Prague. The NA Speaker highly assessed the developing ties between Armenia and the Czech Republic and underscored the interaction between the Armenian Apostolic and the Czech Catholic churches. In addition, he reflected on the Safarov case and regional matters.     

In his turn, Cardinal Duka highlighted Abrahamyan’s visit and stressed the need to strengthen Armenian-Czech friendship. He stated that the Armenian people have made an invaluable contribution to world heritage, and expressed a readiness to assist in the Armenian Genocide’s recognition in the Czech Republic. 

Also, on the same day, Hovik Abrahamyan and the delegation led by him paid a visit to the Vítkov National Memorial and placed flowers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.