YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on November 2 received President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Christine Defraigne who is in an official visit to Armenia, press service of the Government told “Armenpress”.

PM Karapetyan welcomed the Belgian delegation’s visit to Armenia and expressed confidence that the visit will contribute to further developing and strengthening the Armenian-Belgian relations.

Karen Karapetyan stated that the Armenian Government is interested in intensifying the political dialogue with Belgium, making the trade-economic relations more diversified and deepening the cooperation in educational and cultural spheres. The PM said the Government is going to present a package of investments programs to the international partners through various circles, including the Embassies, and added that he attaches importance to the activity of “Armenia-Wallonia Export” agency and the Armenian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce on expanding the business ties.

Karen Karapetyan highly appreciated Belgium’s financial, professional and technical assistance to Armenia on establishing modern Oncology Center of Excellence which will serve not only the people of Armenia, but also those of the region.

The Belgian Senate President stated that despite the perfect relations of Armenia and Belgium, it is necessary to comprehensively expand the bilateral cooperation in different sectors, including economy, IT, healthcare, culture and education. Christine Defraigne expressed Belgium’s support to expanding Armenia-EU ties and emphasized that the doors of Europe are widely open for further developing and strengthening the cooperation with Armenia.

The sides underscored the entrance of “Brussels Airlines” to the Armenian market and expressed confidence it will boost the bilateral ties and tourism between the two states.  

Karen Karapetyan and Christine Defraigne talked about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

PM Karapetyan appreciated Belgium’s balanced stance over the NK conflict in line with the EU common approaches, as well as welcomed the Belgian parliamentarians’ visit to the NKR.

Karen Karapetyan highly appreciated the fact that in 1998 the Belgian Senate adopted the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution and added that by the adoption of the resolution by the House of Representatives in 2015 the process of Armenian Genocide recognition by Belgium became more complete.

Christine Defraigne said Belgium is ready to show its support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at peacefully settling the NK conflict and attached importance to the provision of lasting peace and security in the region.