AZG DAILY #29, 20-02-2009
Armenia-Czechia Update: 2009-02-20 00:27:10 (GMT +04:00)
CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER: "ARMENIA IS IMPORTANT TO THE WHOLE WORLD"
By H.Asatrian, Prague, translated by L.H.
"Armenia is the most ancient Christian country in the world that I
visited last year. I met with the All-Armenian Catholics, and I am
very impressed with that country’s centuries-old culture. Armenia that
has an older civilization than the Roman Empire is very important to
the world", with these words Czech Foreign Minister Karel
Schwartzenberg started the joint press conference with his Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian.
On February 18, after one-hour negotiations, Armenian and Czech
Foreign Ministers answered the questions of the journalists.
Mr. Karel Schwartzenberg mentioned that EU-Armenia relations, present
stage of Czech-Armenian relations, and the relations established
between the two countries’ parliaments, also issues of the Eastern
Neighborhood Program, including regional issues ` Armenia-Turkey and
Armenia-Russia relations were discussed during the meeting.
The Czech Foreign Minister underlined that investment assistance
agreement would be signed soon and it would develop the economic
relations between the two countries.
Edward Nalbandian, in his turn, mentioned that after the
Armenian-Czech Business Forum held in Yerevan last year there are
tendencies for the development of economic relations between the two
countries.
To the question of "Azg" daily, "What concrete expectations has the
European Union of Armenia and in its turn Armenia of the European
Union?", Karel Schwartzenberg answered, "The European Union has two
essential expectations of Armenia. First, we already see that very
efficient relations are established with the neighboring countries,
including Turkey, also, Karabakh conflict negotiations are being held
with Azerbaijan, and we hope that the situation will normalize in the
nearest future. The second direction is connected with the internal
situation connected with human rights and political prisoners, and
some changes are available in this direction as well. We should notice
that Armenia has already taken some steps to ameliorate the situation,
but it should continue its efforts. And I hope that EU-Armenia
cooperation will continue".
In his turn, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian answering the
questions of the journalists mentioned that cooperation and individual
programs in the framework of EU Partnership program have been
successfully carried out. And today EU Neighborhood program gives
Armenia new opportunities on various levels. "We sent a statement of
proposals to the European Commission inviting EU experts to Armenia to
carry out improvements in executive, legislative and judicial
spheres. I want to mention also that there are no political prisoners
in Armenia, and there is no similar formulation in the recent
statements and declarations of the European Union. There were several
proposals in the previous two resolutions of the Assembly that
Armenian authorities implemented in 90 percent. We are ready to
realize all the proposals of the European structures. We should do our
utmost, as it is driven by our people and state’s interests",
Mr. Nalbandian said.
The Armenian Foreign Minister had met with the Czech Senate Chairman
Premysl Sobotka in the first part of the day. They had discussed
issues of parliamentary cooperation. According to diplomatic sources,
in the second half of this year the Armenian Parliament Speaker’s
official visit to Czechia is planned.
The Armenian Foreign Minister arrived in Czechia from Poland, where he
met with the high-ranking official of that country.
In the end, we want to mention that in the history of independent
Armenia it is the first official visit of the Armenian Foreign
Minister to Czech Republic that will finally improve the bilateral
relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress