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.