YEREVAN. – Within the framework of his working visit to Belgium, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Friday met with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Sargsyan stressed that Armenia is interested in intensifying the Armenian-Belgian dialogue and making cooperation with the friendly Belgium become mutually beneficial, press office of the President informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
The interlocutors agreed that over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, Armenia and Belgium have developed relations in numerous domains, and based on mutual trust and understanding. Also, President Sargsyan and PM Michel concurred that their talk is a good opportunity to outline the avenues for furthering cooperation. They highlighted the need for expanding cooperation within international platforms, especially the European Union (EU).
With reference to EU-Armenia relations, Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that the forthcoming signing of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement will open a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations, and provide ever new opportunities for the deepening of relations with the EU and its member states, including Belgium.
From the perspective of promoting Armenian-Belgian bilateral cooperation, the President of Armenia highlighted the intensification of high-level political contacts, and expressed the hope that the dialogue between Armenia and its friendly and reliable partner Belgium will be continuous.
In addition, President Sargsyan underscored that Belgium is of special importance to Armenia because it provided shelter to the Armenians who had survived the Genocide, and whose descendants today are the cornerstone of the Armenian community in Belgium.
The President conveyed to Charles Michel the appreciation of the Armenian people for his statement of June 18, followed by the adoption of the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution in the Belgian House of Representatives on July 23, and which completed the process of Belgium’s recognition of this tragedy. To note, that the Belgian Senate had passed a similar resolution back in 1998.
Furthermore, the parties lauded the Belgian Armenian community, which was said to play an important part in the promotion of bilateral relations.
Next, President Serzh Sargsyan and PM Charles Michel discussed Armenian-Belgian trade relations, and cooperation in several mutually beneficial domains. The President suggested that Belgian companies consider the possibility of engaging in Armenia’s economy, taking into account the business-friendly investment climate in the country, and its involvement in various integration processes.
Also, the President pointed out that Armenia’s proactive membership in the International Organization of La Francophonie is another opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in science, culture, municipal governance, and some other spheres.
Noting that next year Armenia will be hosting the 17th Summit of La Francophonie, the President thanked Belgium for its respective support, and availed himself of the opportunity to invite Prime Minister Michel to attend this event slated for October 2018.
