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.