President of Belgium’s Senate attaches importance to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Hakob Arshakyan, during the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Uzbekistan, met with President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Peter De Roover and President of the Belgian Senate Vincent Blondel. 

Arshakyan thanked Peter De Roover and the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for supporting Armenia and the Armenian people and its principled position about important matters, the parliament's press service said in a readout. 

Peter De Roover reiterated Belgium’s commitment to support Armenia in important political matters. He said that the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Belgium in 2015 was a significant step. 

Peter De Roover expressed readiness to support Armenia’s visa liberalization process with the EU. He said the process and timeframes are technical matters and not political.

Arshakyan briefed the Belgian legislators about the EU bill.

He attached importance to the visa liberalization process and the cooperation as part of the European Peace Facility and expressed hope that the Armenia-EU new partnership agenda will be signed soon.

President of the Belgian Senate Vincent Blondel attached importance to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and inquired about its prospects. Arshakyan presented the Crossroads of Peace project aimed at normalizing relations with neighboring countries and establishing sustainable peace.

The sides discussed the efforts aimed at establishing peace in the region, the finalized draft peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Baku’s preconditions and artificial obstacles for signing it, as well as the resolution of all humanitarian issues of vital importance for achieving peace.