On December 4th, during his working visit to Brussels, acting Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with Didier Reynders, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Belgium.

Hailing the traditionally close cooperation between the countries within bilateral and multilateral formats, the foreign ministers reaffirm their readiness to take measures aimed at further developing and expanding relations in various spheres, with special regard to trade and economic relations.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the prospects for expanding the agenda for cooperation, highlighting innovation, high technology, and creative education as priorities. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Didier Reynders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation and support between the countries within international organizations. In this context, the sides emphasized the importance of efforts aimed at strengthening the agenda for the protection of human rights through international organizations by increasing the effectiveness of European institutions.

The sides also discussed issues on the EU-Armenia agenda. Mnatsakanyan stressed that the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement provides new opportunities for cooperation with the European Union.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan briefed his counterpart on the latest domestic political developments in Armenia. Referring to upcoming snap parliamentary elections, the Acting Foreign Minister emphasized the Armenian Government’s commitment to guaranteeing a free and fair electoral process in line with international standards. Mnatsakanyan highlighted the furthering of Armenia’s development agenda as one of the Government’s key priorities, emphasizing the important role of the EU and EU member states in this process.

During the meeting, the sides touched upon a number of pressing issues on the international agenda and exchanged views on the situation in Syria as well as the latest developments surrounding the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Mnatsakanyan presented the Belgian Foreign Minister with Armenia’s views on and approaches to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both sides emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which is the only internationally mandated format for the settlement of the conflict.

After the meeting, Mnatsakanyan and Reynders signed an Agreement Between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Belgium on the Gainful Occupation of Family Members of the Personnel of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts.