On October 1, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in and delivered remarks at the official opening ceremony of the Armenian-Czech business forum organized in Yerevan, where he, particularly, noted․

Honorable Mr Minister,

Honorable guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome all of you to the opening of the Armenian-Czech business forum. This is a great opportunity to promote the Armenian-Czech economic relations to a qualitatively new level, establish new business ties and further effective cooperation.

Today's conference is also a good opportunity to touch upon economic diplomacy. It is obvious that in the 21st century, every state should strive to have a stable, viable and comprehensive system of economic diplomacy. Therefore, one of the important directions of our Ministry’s work, as of a number of other Foreign Ministries, is the modernization and implementation of economic diplomacy mechanisms. It will significantly increase the inflow of foreign investments and the volume of foreign trade turnover, promote the process of transfer of advanced technologies and experience, and increase the volume of tourism, contributing to the intensification of cooperation between Armenian and foreign businesses.

Taking into account the above-mentioned, we encourage and will ensure all conditions for the Czech businessmen and investors to be more actively involved in Armenia. The favorable business environment, the ongoing economic reforms, the conditions created for investments, the security and freedom of Armenia set excellent preconditions for foreign business. In addition, Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union with a population of 180 mln and 1.8 trillion US dollars GDP, the GSP+ trade regime with EU, as well as the GSP regime with the US, Japan, Canada, Norway and Switzerland are additional impetus for investment attractiveness of Armenia and for effective cooperation with foreign partners.

I would like to emphasize that recently some progress has been made in the development of the Armenian-Czech trade and economic cooperation, even during the pandemic. At the same time, there is a huge untapped potential, for the utilization of which we must work targeted.

We consider information technologies as promising areas of cooperation with Czechia.  Armenia has already developed a successful experience in establishing technological centers, including Armat Engineering Laboratories and TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, where young people of all ages can participate in innovative educational programs. These two initiatives have become Armenian brands that have been successful all over the world.  TUMO Centers have been opened in Paris, Beirut, Moscow, Tirana, Berlin and Kyiv. In this regard, we can consider the possibility of introducing Armenian high-tech solutions in the Czech Republic as well.

Renewable energy, finance, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, and waste management could be other interesting areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

We also attach importance to the possibility of operating direct flights between Yerevan and Prague. It is a great impetus for more active business ties and will increase the volume of tourism. I hope that in the near future Yerevan and Prague will become closer via direct flights.

There are many spheres and opportunities for cooperation, and I am confident that this forum will be a good impetus for new, strong and mutually beneficial relations and collaboration.

I conclude my remarks. Dear forum participants, I wish you productive and interesting work.

Thank you".