ARMENIA, CZECHIA TO STRENGTHEN INTERSTATE RELATIONS

ARKA
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. The strengthening of Armenian-Czech relations
is of extreme importance for both countries, Speakers of the Armenian
and Czech Parliaments Tigran Torosyan and Przemysl Sobotka stated at
their meeting.

"The Armenian and Czech peoples have always had friendly ties, but,
despite this, we need daily work. Strengthening relations with Czechia,
an East European country which passed a difficult way of post-Soviet
transformation, is important for Armenia," Torosyan said.

According to him, Czechia’s experience is most useful for Armenia
in the context of European integration. Speaker Torosyan expressed
his satisfaction over Sobotka’s presence in Yerevan now that
the achievements of the past ten years are being summarized and
future plans determined. Torosyan expressed the confidence that
Sobotka’s visit to Armenia will contribute to the development of
interparlamentary relations.

Speaker Sobotka pronounced for immediate relations between countries
and intends to accept Speaker Torosyan’s invitation to pay an official
visit to Armenia this September.

He pointed out Armenia’s important role in the region, as well as the
European Union’s (EU) great attention to Armenia. H said that the EU’s
agenda includes 18 issues that are to be considered in September for
lack of time.

Sobotka pointed out the necessity for an intergovernmental agreement,
which would enable Czech businessmen to make investments in Armenia’s
economy and develop Czech-Armenian economic, scientific and cultural
relations.

The sides also addressed the post-election developments in
Armenia. Speaker Torosyan informed Sobotka of the March 1 events,
pointing out that the tragic events had nothing in common with the
election. The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the events and
all those guilty will be punished.

Przemysl Sobotka came to Armenia to attend the inauguration ceremony
for Armenia’s new President Serge Sargsyan.