Belgian Ambassador says Armenia–EU relations will continue to thrive as agenda expands

In an interview with Armenpress, the ambassador expressed confidence that relations between Armenia and the European Union will continue to thrive in the years ahead.

Ambassador Eric De Muynck spoke about the current state of bilateral relations between Armenia and Belgium and discussed the future prospects of the Armenia–European Union strategic partnership.

According to the ambassador, political dialogue between Armenia and Belgium is currently at its highest level ever.

“Our embassy has been operating since September 2023, and just a month ago our Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, visited Armenia to attend the official opening ceremony of the embassy building. Shortly thereafter, we were also visited by the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. De Roover. Therefore, we maintain an intensive dialogue with Armenia and its authorities,” the Belgian ambassador said.

Addressing the economic restrictions affecting the import of Armenian goods into the Russian market, as well as the expansion of economic cooperation between Armenia and the European Union in that context and Belgium’s role in the process, Ambassador Eric De Muynck emphasized that active efforts are currently underway to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Yerevan and Brussels.

“As an embassy, we are working diligently to enhance economic ties between Armenia and Belgium. For example, we recently hosted Gohar Abajyan, CEO of Enterprise Armenia, in Belgium. She had the opportunity to attend a conference dedicated to semiconductors and meet with Belgian stakeholders and industry leaders in the field.

We are also actively engaged in promoting cooperation across Armenia’s technology sector, as well as industries such as food and beverages. We work closely with the Belgium–Armenia Chamber of Commerce to establish and strengthen these connections, with the aim of fostering stronger bilateral business relations between Belgium and Armenia,” Ambassador Eric De Muynck said.

Sharing his views on the future prospects of Armenia–European Union relations, Ambassador Eric De Muynck said that Armenia’s European agenda is now broader and more comprehensive than it was just a few years ago.

“When I arrived in Armenia, the Belgian Embassy was the 14th European embassy to open in Yerevan. Since then, I believe two or three more European embassies have been established here. This, in my view, demonstrates that Armenia’s European agenda is far richer today than it was three years ago, and I see it thriving in the future, and I believe the future of relations between Armenia and the European Union is very bright,” the Belgian Ambassador to Armenia concluded.

Ahead of the parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed restrictions and bans on the import of numerous Armenian goods, which remain in effect today. The move prompted exporters to look for new markets, including in the EU. The EU has since announced support measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced immediate financial assistance of more than €50 million, along with other support measures to facilitate trade, including measures to expand export opportunities for Armenian goods.