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On September 17 the RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan received the delegation led by the Vice President of the Czech Republic Miluše Horská and the Committee on European Union Affairs of the Senate.

Welcoming the guests in the National Assembly the NA President expressed confidence that their visit would be an additional stimulus in the development of Armenian-Czech relations, and especially in inter-parliamentary cooperation. “I am sure that the cooperation based on friendly relations between the parliaments of the two countries will more strengthen and develop for the benefit of our countries,” Hovik Abrahamyan noted. According to his assessment, the Armenian-Czech cooperation at different levels has been of upward character, and Armenia highlights the comprehensive cooperation with the Czech Republic, the continuity of political dialogue, the further deepening of inter-parliamentary relations. To the NA Speaker’s conviction, the parliamentary dialogue can be also useful in terms of rise of mutual recognition, having good picture about inner and external political agenda items of both sides and supporting each other in parliamentary assemblies of international organizations.

Touching upon the regional problems Hovik Abrahamyan presented Armenia’s stances on the NK problem, Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as recent foreign political developments. He highly assessed the balanced stance of the Czech authorities in the issue of the NK conflict. The NA President expressed hope that before the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Czech Parliament would recognize the Armenian Genocide and join the countries, which had recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide as a crime committed against humanity. Touching upon the decision of joining the Republic of Armenia to the Customs Union the NA President noted that it was conditioned by geo-political realities and stems from the interests of our country. “Armenia in its foreign policy has always been led and continues to be led by the comparison of the interests and will continue to deepen and expand the relations both with our European counterparts and our strategic ally Russia,” Hovik Abrahamyan said. In his word, Armenia has always been open in all international platforms for cooperation for integration processes, but never ignoring the strategic interests, especially in conditions of closed borders and availability of conflict. “Armenia continues to be committed to European values and principles, and we are resolute to together expand and deepen the process of institutional reforms together with our European counterparts aimed at continuous reinforcement of democracy, human rights and rule of law.”

Thanking for warm reception the Vice President of the Czech Senate highlighted the development of cooperation and expansion with Armenia. Mrs Horska highly appreciated the warm relations created between the parliaments of the two countries, deeming necessary their further deepening and development. He also deemed important the expansion of cooperation between the marzes and the cities, documenting with satisfaction the cooperation between the cities of Karlovy Vary and Jermuk, the basis of which was laid during the official visit by the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan paid to the Czech Republic.

Touching upon the decision of Armenia to join the Customs Union the Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the Senate Miroslav Krejča noted: “I think that all states should respect Armenia’s choice; the decision of joining the Customs Union.” In his opinion, Armenia should continue the aspiration to Europe, and the important thing is the work done and in future the work to be done.

In the course of the meeting other issues of bilateral interest were discussed.