Civilnet
By Alexander Pracht
Armenia’s potential membership in the European Union “is not on the table at this stage,” Petr Pirunčík, Czechia’s ambassador to Armenia, told CivilNet in an interview on Tuesday.
He stressed that the EU is not urging Yerevan to choose between Russian-led structures and closer ties with Europe and explained that the direction of Armenia’s foreign policy is for Yerevan alone to determine.
“What we are discussing is how Armenia and the EU can grow closer and deepen their cooperation,” he said, adding that this process is not one-sided and that a closer partnership offers tangible benefits for both Armenia and the European Union.
Pirunčík noted that the pace and direction of future steps will depend primarily on Armenia itself. He recalled that just last week the EU and Armenia signed what he described as a strategic program outlining a broad agenda for cooperation. The document spans a wide range of fields, from human rights and democratic governance to economic ties, infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and even elements related to security.
“We already have a solid agreement in place, the Comprehensive And Enhanced Partnership Agreement, and this new program essentially fills CEPA with more concrete content,” Pirunčík said. “We now have a three-to-four-year roadmap for Armenia’s integration that outlines practical steps across multiple sectors.”
Security considerations
Pirunčík said the new strategic program also includes a security component that goes beyond standard exchanges of expertise. Cooperation in this field, he explained, extends to business ties and industrial collaboration.
Czechia’s defense industry exchanges with Armenia have grown significantly, he noted, to the point that the country now ranks as the second or third largest EU supplier to Armenia by volume. Prague’s approach, he added, is pragmatic, recognizing Armenia’s ongoing reform of the military and the fact that some of its traditional defense links with Russia are no longer functioning.
“As an industrial country, we have a great deal to offer,” the ambassador stressed.
Visas and travel opportunities
“Armenians have always been very warm and welcoming toward foreigners. I feel it myself as a Czech: for many Armenians, Czechia is already a familiar country,” Pirunčík said.
“People have friends or relatives there, others have spent holidays in Prague or Karlovy Vary, and of course there’s Czech beer. When I tell local people I’m from Czechia, they smile right away.”
He added that what matters most, in his view, is that Armenians are genuinely open to discovering other countries, travelling, and embracing the aspects of foreign cultures that resonate with them.
“When we speak about the European Union or EU policy, I often hear that Armenians don’t have a very clear picture of what the EU actually is, but you’re not alone in this regard,” he said. “In Czechia too, there are plenty of myths about the EU, about ‘Brussels,’ and many people don’t really know how the structures and processes work.”
Pirunčík acknowledged that Schengen visas remain a significant barrier for Armenians wishing to travel to Europe. He noted that the EU and Armenia have recently launched a visa liberalization dialogue aiming for visa-free travel. According to him, Armenia has been approaching the required “homework” in various fields with seriousness and diligence, and once all benchmarks are met, visa-free travel will become possible.
While he could not predict a timeline, he said he remains cautiously optimistic based on the way Armenian authorities have handled the process so far.
“One of the most damaging issues we face is what we call visa shopping,” Pirunčík said. “Many Armenians apply for a Czech or French visa without actually planning to travel to Czechia or France, they just go wherever they have friends, or wherever an agency tells them there are slots available.”
He said he understands the pressure people often feel when travel plans come together late, but poor planning contributes to delays and unnecessary obstacles. Applicants sometimes turn to intermediaries or agencies, believing they can solve the problem for them, a practice he said only complicates the system further. People frequently wait until the last moment and then expect an urgent visa for a holiday trip, he noted, even though Schengen rules allow applications up to six months before travel.
“Believe me, if everyone applying for a Czech visa knew the actual requirements, it would make life much easier for both of us,” he said. “A significant part of our capacity would be freed up, because we spend too much time on applicants who don’t know anything about Czechia or our rules.”
Armenia's democracy
“When I first arrived in Armenia, I was struck by the sheer number and diversity of NGOs operating in Armenia, ranging from political and environmental groups to humanitarian organizations,” the ambassador told CivilNet.
In his view, the density of civil-society actors suggests that Armenian civic life is highly developed, in some respects even more vibrant than in parts of Europe.
“When evaluated through international rankings on human rights, democratic procedures, internet freedom and openness, Armenia usually appears somewhere in the middle of the scale,” he said.
Pirunčík stressed that while such ratings are never absolute, they do reflect a clear upward trajectory over the past decade, showing steady improvements in Armenia’s democratic institutions and civil society. He added that he sees these positive trends reflected in day-to-day realities as well, alongside the inevitable criticisms and challenges.
“From a European perspective, Armenia stands out as the most resilient and stable democracy in the South Caucasus. Everything is relative, of course, but compared to what we see elsewhere in the neighborhood, Armenia is doing rather well,” he said.
Asked about recent mass arrests that opposition groups describe as a threat to democracy, Pirunčík said no system is perfect and that he does not view Armenia through “rose-colored glasses.” He emphasized that Czechia and all EU members are closely monitoring the developments and expect Armenia to uphold international standards, including full transparency in judicial proceedings. European partners pay particular attention to rule of law, human rights protections, and due process in politically sensitive cases, the ambassador explained.
“We are watching this very closely,” he said. “If any doubts arise, we will speak openly about it because we are friends, and friends talk about everything, including problems.”
Problematic areas
Pirunčík also noted that Armenia faces several sensitive domestic issues that Czechia once grappled with as well, pointing in particular to environmental protection. Public attitudes toward nature differ significantly in the two countries, he acknowledged, but Czechia began from a very similar position decades ago before gradually transforming its environmental policies and culture, the ambassador explained.
He offered a second example, domestic violence, describing it as another area where Czechia once stood roughly where Armenia is today. Over the years, Czech police and institutions have accumulated practical experience on the issue, including legal reforms and enforcement practices, and are open to share those with Armenia to address areas where policy gaps remain, he added.
“If boys grow up seeing domestic violence or disrespect toward women at home, education alone cannot fix that,” he said. “People who behave inappropriately must face consequences.”
Future is bright for Armenia
On a positive note, reflecting on the shared historical experience of post-socialist transition, Pirunčík expressed admiration for Armenian youth.
“I try to visit an Armenian school at least once a month… your youth… They have incredible energy and ambition… They simply want to make a change..” He highlighted their motivation and noted their humility as a unique strength.
“I am very optimistic about Armenia’s future because I can see what Armenian youth are capable of,” Ambassador Pirunčík concluded.
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