Issues of Armenian-Belgian cooperation in Brussels were discussed by Serzh Sargsyan and Charles Michel
ArmInfo.As part of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, President Serzh Sargsyan met today with Prime Minister Charles Michel. Expressing gratitude for
the warm reception, President Sargsyan stressed that Armenia is
interested in the activation of the Armenian-Belgian dialogue, making
various mutually beneficial cooperation with friendly Belgium.
The interlocutors expressed their common opinion that over the past
25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Armenia and
Belgium have developed relations in many areas, based on mutual trust
and mutual understanding. President Sargsyan and Prime Minister
Michel expressed a common opinion that this meeting is a good
opportunity to outline the ways of further cooperation. They stressed
the importance of expanding cooperation also on international
platforms, in particular within the EU. Referring to the Armenia-EU
relations, Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that the signing of
the Agreement on Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership will open a
new chapter in the history of bilateral relations and create new
opportunities for further deepening of relations with the European
Union and member states, including Belgium. From the point of view of
promoting the agenda of bilateral Armenian-Belgian cooperation, the
President of the Republic stressed the importance of intensifying
high- level political contacts and expressed the hope that the
dialogue between Armenia and her friend and reliable partner Belgium
will be continuous, and mutual visits will be more active.
At the meeting, President Sargsyan stressed that Belgium for Armenia
is of special importance also because it gave shelter to our
compatriots who have escaped from genocide, whose generations form
the basis of the Armenian community of Belgium. The President
expressed his gratitude to Charles Michel for his statement on June
18, 2015, which was followed by the adoption on July 23 of the House
of Representatives of the resolution recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, which completed the process of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by Belgium: in 1998 the Belgian Senate adopted a resolution
on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide . The two sides spoke
with mutual respect of the Armenian community of Belgium, underscored
its role in intensifying bilateral relations.
Serzh Sargsyan and Charles Michel discussed the issues related to the
Armenian-Belgian trade and economic relations and cooperation in a
number of mutually beneficial sectors. The President suggested that
Belgian companies consider the possibility to develop their
activities in the Republic of Armenia, taking into account the
favorable investment climate formed in the country, as well as
participation in various integration processes. Armenia's active
membership in the international organization of the Francophonie is
also, in the opinion of President Serzh Sargsyan, a good opportunity
for deepening cooperation with Belgium in the structures of the
Francophonie in the spheres of science, culture, urban management and
other branches. Noting that Armenia will host the 17th summit of the
Organization in 2018, the President expressed his gratitude to
Belgium for support and, taking the opportunity, invited Prime
Minister Michel to Armenia to participate in the summit scheduled for
October 2018.