Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Belgium

President Serzh Sargsyan, who has arrived in Brussels on a working visit, today took part in the Summit of the European People’s Party (EPP). The Armenian President delivered an address at the summit in which he touched upon Armenia’s European agenda, the ongoing multifaceted reforms which have been at the forefront of Armenia-European Union relations, the year of 2015 which is of special importance to the Armenian people when Armenians all over the world are commemorating the Armenian Genocide Centennial both in the homeland and abroad, attaching value to the full international recognition and condemnation of genocides as the only effective means to prevent the repetition of the crimes against humanity. In his address Serzh Sargsyan also reflected upon the successful cooperation between the Republican Party of Armenia and the EPP.

Availing himself of the opportunity, the Armenian President extended his special thanks for the resolution “The Armenian Genocide and European Values” adopted by the EPP Political Assembly on March 3 of 2015, stressing that the EPP reaffirmed with dignity its commitment to universal value and principles.

The Armenian President attached importance to the summit attendees’ participation in the commemorative events to mark the Armenian Genocide Centennial, emphasizing that in Armenia it would be regarded as a victory of European values and European progress and would become the most vivid epitome of the saying “Never Again.” In this context, Serzh Sargsyan expressed his gratitude to EPP President Joseph Daul for accepting his invitation to visit Yerevan on April 24 and for the willingness to join the Armenian people in commemorating the memory of the genocide victims in Armenia.

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As part of the Summit of the European People’s Party (EPP), President Serzh Sargsyan, who has arrived in the Kingdom of Belgium on a working visit, today held a meeting with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. The interlocutors discussed issues pertaining to the constructive dialogue between Armenia and the European Union (EU) and to the prospects for development of their relations.

At the meeting, the parties touched upon the ongoing reforms in Armenia which, according to them, lie at the forefront of Armenia’s relationship with the European Union.

Serzh Sargsyan and Donald Tusk also reflected upon the issue pertaining to the development of a new legal framework for Armenia-EU relations which has been under discussion since the end of 2014 and to the preparation works for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga. The interlocutors also talked about the regional issues and challenges present in the South Caucasus.

As part of the EPP Summit, President Serzh Sargsyan held a brief meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Armenia and Germany and to the development of Armenia-EU relations.

At the end of his visit, Serzh Sargsyan gave an extensive interview to France 24, a prestigious French television channel, touching upon Armenia-European Union relations, the importance of the Armenian Genocide Centennial and the commemorative events to be marked this year, the relationship between Armenia and Turkey, regional issues and challenges, as well as upon a series of other topics.