President of Armenia thanks Czech Republic for unbiased position on Karabakh

March 26, 2010 - 19:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received vice prime minister and minister of defense of the Czech Republic Martin Bartak. During the meeting the Armenian president noted that Armenia is interested in developing relations with the Czech Republic, both in bilateral and plurilateral formats.

The two sides agreed that Armenia and the Czech Republic have great potential for cooperation in the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Armenian president stressed the importance of cooperation with the Czech Republic in the sphere of defense. Czech Vice Prime Minister also said a group of Czech businessmen arrived to Armenia with his delegation. The officials expressed hope that Armenian-Czech business contacts will help to realize the great potential in the trade and economy spheres.

Srezh Sargsyan thanked the Czech Republic for unbiased position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stressing that the separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia is a good example of civilized self-determination, press office of RA President reported.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.