NEWLY APPOINTED CZECH AMBASSADOR HANDS HIS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT SERZH SARKISIAN

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 19

The newly appointed ambassador of the Czech Republic to Armenia,
Ivan Estrab, seated in Tbilisi, Georgia, handed today his credentials
to President Serzh Sarkisian. The presidential press office told
Armenpress that after congratulating the ambassador on taking his
tenure in Armenia, the president said, "We attach great importance to
boosting both bilateral relations with the Czech Republic and within
the frameworks of European organizations," adding also that "Armenia
considers herself as a member of the European family of nations and
European integration is a priority of our foreign policy agenda."

Highlighting high-level political interaction between the two
countries the president noted at the same time that economic ties
are lagging behind.

The two sides stressed the necessity of active contacts between
Armenian and Czech business people, exchange of information and
finding edges for joint cooperation.

Ambassador Estrab said for his part that his country is interested in
the South Caucasus in general and Armenia in particular. In his words,
the upcoming official visit to Armenia by Czech Foreign Minister
Karel Schwarzenberg will become a serious impetus to fostering ties.

He also said in 2009 January his country will assume the rotating
chairmanship of the EU and will seek to increase partnership with
the South Caucasus within the frameworks of the European Neighborhood
Policy (ENP).

Citing Sweden’s and Poland’s initiative to boost EU’s relations with
the South Caucasus the ambassador said it may become a god basis for
stepped up cooperation.

He also said that in September the chairman of the Czech Senate will
pay an official visit to Armenia.