On April 27, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian met Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime-Minister, Foreign Minister of Belgium.

Minister Nalbandian welcomed the visit of his Belgian counterpart to Yerevan, expressing hope that it will bring new impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation in different fields.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Minister Reynders stressed that Belgium places significance to strengthening of relations with Armenia and fostering of cooperation in possible new areas.

Edward Nalbandian presented Didier Reynders the events of the Armenian Genocide Centenary and messages of the commemoration. Minister Nalbandian attached importance to the joint efforts of the international community in the prevention of acts of genocide and thanked Foreign Minister Reynders for co-sponsoring of Resolution “Prevention of Genocide” initiated by Armenia and adapted in March at the UN Human Rights Council. Given the active efforts of the two states in the prevention of crimes against humanity, Ministers agreed upon the continuation of cooperation in this direction. Foreign Minister of Armenia expressed gratitude for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Belgium back in 1998.

The sides thoroughly touched upon issues on bilateral agenda of Armenian-Belgian relations, attached importance to the activation of political dialogue, enhancement of trade and economic ties, exploring of new spheres of cooperation, parliamentary interaction, including interaction within Parliamentary Assemblies of international organizations, expansion of legal framework.

Edward Nalbandian and Didier Reynders exchanged thoughts on the implementation of priorities of Belgian Chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Prime-Minister Reynders invited Edward Nalbandian to partake in the forthcoming, 125th session of the CoE Committee of Ministers dedicated to the fight against racism and discrimination.

Ministers discussed Armenia-European Union cooperation, in this framework the forthcoming events, process of elaborating the new legal basis of relations.

The sides attached importance to the development of cooperation within international organizations; in this regard appreciating the upcoming Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie to be held in Armenia in fall this year.

Pressing international issues, particularly, Ukrainian crisis, developments unfolding in the Middle East were touched upon.

Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the efforts of Armenia and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

A joint press-conference followed the meeting of Ministers.