STEPANAKERT. - The Flemish parliamentary delegation of Belgium is on a visit to Karabakh from March 14 to 16.

In the framework of the visit, the delegation members along with the Deputy Head of the Karabkh National Assembly (NA) Permanent Committee on Foreign Affairs, David Melkumyan, visited the Stepanakert Memorial Complex and laid flowers at the tombs of those fallen in Karabakh War, Karabakh NA press-service reports.

The Speaker of Karabakh NA Ashot Ghoulian today received the Flemish parliamentary delegation, which was composed of the vice president of the Flemish Parliament (Senate) Karl Vanlouwe,  as well as members of the Flemish parliament Karim Van Overmeire, Ward Kennes, Marc Hendrickx and professor Paul Miert.

The delegation was accompanied by Chairman of Hay Dat European Office Gaspar Karapetyan and Armenian NA MP Tevan Poghosyan.

Welcoming the guests, Ashot Ghoulian stressed that the European vector has a special place in the parliamentary ties of Karabakh, and the meetings with the Belgian deputies at different levels are turning into a tradition.

The Speaker also underscored the importance of ties with the Flemish parliamentarians in terms of exchange of experience in the spheres of legislation and culture. The meeting then continued in an extended format. Representatives of the legislative and executive authorities and local self-government bodies also took part in the meeting.  

In his address, Mr Ghoulian called exemplary the long and consistent struggle of his colleagues from the Flemish parliament for preserving national identity, which, in contrast to our region, is expressed through a civilized dialogue of nations for their rights.

According to the Flemish parliament MP Karim Van Overmeire, this visit is indicative of their solidarity with democratic Karabakh.

“Artsakh is a fortress not only for Armenia but also for Europe,” he noted.

“I consider Artsakh as part of the Christian world, which I myself belong to,” Ward Kennes stressed.  

In his speech, Deputy Mayor of Mechelen city Marc Hendrickx touched on the role of the Armenian community of Mechelen and attached importance to the possible cooperation.

Referring to the role of democracy in politics, as well as the struggle of Flemish and Karabakh peoples for their national identity, Senator Vanlouwe noted : “I can’t compare the peaceful struggle of the Flemish people with the complex situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh. It’s hard to imagine that about 30 years ago it was impossible to hold such a meeting only because of the war here.”

By the end of the meeting, spheres of mutual interest were identified. The importance of implementing joint programs, as well as developing decentralized cooperation was underscored.

The meeting of the delegation with Karabakh President Bako Sahakayan and Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan are to be held in the afternoon. The delegation will also visit educational institutions, as well as historical and cultural centers.

The results of the meeting will be presented at the press-conference of the Flemish parliamentarians, which is to be held Wednesday.