Good afternoon,

I'm happy to welcome my colleague, my good friend, Mr. Schwarzenberg, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime-Minister. This is not the first time he is in Armenia. His first visit was 5 years ago, in 2008. But over these years we have used different chances in order to meet during my visits to Prague, as well as within numerous international conferences.

We had nearly more than a dozen meetings over this time, I'm very happy that like the previous visit, Mr. Schwarzenberg is accompanied by a very respectable delegation of businessmen. Nearly 2 dozens of businessmen have come with him and this morning we opened the Armenian-Czech business forum with Mr. Schwarzenberg, which I hope will serve as a stimulus for the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. In that field, indeed, we have a lot of potential, which is still not sufficiently used. We agreed that we will make additional efforts in order to expand the trade and economic exchanges more.

We used the opportunity of our meeting to discuss the expansion of the existing legal framework between the two countries. Five years ago we had only one signed document that referred to the establishment of diplomatic relations. Today we have more than 10 documents, but I think that there are important framework documents, especially in economic sector, investment incentives, investment protection, and other documents that we are going to be signed in the near future. I am pleased that since Mr. Schwarzenberg’s first visit, when we agreed to exchange diplomatic missions, our Embassy has been working in Prague and the Czech Republic has its own diplomatic representation in Yerevan.

Today was also a good opportunity to continue our dialogue and discussions on various regional and international issues, I gave information about the latest developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the steps that have been undertaken by Armenia and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs: We will yet have the opportunity to continue our discussions during a working lunch today. Now I would like to give the floor to Mr. Schwarzenberg.

Adela Drazhanova, Czech newspaper MF DNE: I have two short questions to Foreign Minister of Armenia: First, please briefly comment on the recent announcement on Khojalu by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and the second: How can Czech Republic help Armenia in its difficult relations with its neighbors.

Edward Nalbandian: My counterpart will better comment on the Czech Parliament's committee decision.

As for the relations with the neighbors, if you have in mind or you mean relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan or Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, the Czech Republic being a member of the European Union, like the other members of the European Union, supports the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-chairs in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, and to that end statements have been made many times both by Czech Republic and the European Union.

I must remind that meetings were held in Prague, also on the highest level, which were aimed at the peaceful settlement of the conflict. During the Eastern Partnership Summit held in Prague, a meeting was held between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the co-chairs as well, which was aimed at the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. We always appreciate the balanced approach of the Czech Republic that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved through peaceful means, through negotiations.

Martina Spevachkova, Czech Radio: What opportunities do you see for the Czech businessmen in Armenia?

Edward Nalbandian: I think the opportunities are great, and the potential that we have in terms of economic cooperation, is much greater than the volume of trade and economic cooperation, that the two countries have. Today, as I mentioned, we opened a business forum in which two dozen businessmen from the Czech Republic and many entrepreneurs from Armenia were taking part. I hope that they will establish business relations, will discuss the implementation of joint projects in the Czech Republic and Armenia. I am sure that these kinds of meetings are stimulus for the development of trade and economic relations.

Marie Mkhitaryan, PanArmenian.net: My question is directed to Mr. Nalbandian: OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs said in their last statement that they are planning the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan: taking into consideration the lack of significant results recently, what are your expectations from this meeting?

Edward Nalbandian: The fact that there is no progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, is neither the fault of Karabakh, neither Armenia, nor the Co-Chairs. It is because of Azerbaijan.

The co-chairs are making a lot of efforts directed to the conflict settlement and Armenia has always had a positive attitude to the meeting proposals made by the OSCE Minsk-group Co-Chairs. This time we have responded positively again. There are different ideas as to where and when to hold the meeting. As the Co-Chairs are noting, I think we will have such an opportunity in the coming weeks.