Petr Pavel to receive Armenian president at Prague Castle on Thursday

President Petr Pavel will receive Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan at Prague Castle on Thursday. Khachaturyan will also meet Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura.

The visit comes as Armenia is seeking closer ties with the European Union. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said last week that Yerevan could soon apply for EU membership, while the European Commission said it was following Armenia’s efforts with interest.

Armenia is formally an ally of Russia but has been strengthening its ties with the EU in recent years. Yerevan has criticized Moscow for failing to protect Armenia in its conflict with neighbouring Azerbaijan.