Vardevanyan discusses Armenia’s domestic political situation and bilateral cooperation with the Czech Ambassador

On October 22, Aram Vardevanyan, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, received Petr Pirunčík, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Armenia.

The meeting was also attended by Vruyr Ayvazyan and Lena Matevosyan, members of the Strong Armenia parliamentary faction.

Welcoming the ambassador, Aram Vardevanyan emphasized that the Czech Republic is a valued and reliable partner for Armenia, as well as a prominent advocate of European values and European integration. He highly praised the ambassador’s effective mission in advancing these principles and serving as a reliable bridge between the two countries.

For his part, the ambassador thanked his hosts for the warm reception and reaffirmed the Czech Republic’s readiness to give new impetus to multifaceted cooperation between the two states.

Addressing foreign policy priorities, the Deputy Speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced foreign policy and advancing European integration in the context of Armenia’s sustainable development, the strengthening of democratic institutions, the implementation of reforms, and the promotion of regional security.

During the conversation, the participants exchanged views on cooperation between the legislative bodies, the deepening of trade and economic ties, particularly the need for investment in Armenia, as well as regional security challenges and the maintenance of stability.

The Deputy Speaker briefed the ambassador on Armenia’s domestic political situation and the challenges facing the country in strengthening the rule of law. He also referred to violations of fundamental rights addressed in a report published by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The members of parliament drew the ambassador’s attention to the measures being taken to establish democracy in the country, particularly emphasizing the crucial importance of protecting human rights and ensuring the independence of the judiciary, as well as the challenges in these areas, including those related to electoral processes.

The meeting also addressed a legislative initiative concerning the healthcare sector, authored by the Strong Armenia parliamentary faction and already submitted for consideration. It was noted that the initiative aims to develop the healthcare system and ensure public access to affordable medicines, drawing on European Union approaches.

The participants also discussed strengthening ties between local institutions and European structures.