Bruxelles, 14 mars 2016 - Communiqué de la Fédération euro-arménienne pour la Justice et la Démocratie - FEAJD

A delegation from Belgium, comprised of members of the Flemish Parliament (Vlaams Parlement) Karim Van Overmeire (N-VA), Marc Hendrickx (N-VA), Ward Kennes (CD&V), Karl Vanlouwe (N-VA), two teachers from Aalst, Griet Meireman and Catherine van den Nest, and Professor Paul Meerts, Senior Associate at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations 'Clingendael' (The Hague) and visiting Professor at the College of Europe (Bruges) are on a four study day visit to the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic – Artsakh.

The delegation is headed by the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) President Kaspar Karampetian, coordinated by EAFJD EU Affairs officer Heghine Evinyan, supported by two members of the Armenian National Committee of Belgium, Ashkhen Fixova and Adana Kotanjian.

On Sunday, some members of the delegation first visited the Armenian Genocide memorial complex in Tsitsernakapert, Yerevan, and later paid a visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. They later visited the classical Hellenistic temple in Garni, and the Geghard medieval monastery.

On Monday, upon the arrival of all members to Yerevan, the delegation visited the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, where they had meetings with the deputy speaker of the parliament, Mr, Eduard Sharmazanov, who expressed his for the Belgian parliament's reaffirmation of its stance on the Armenian Genocide. The delegation also met the chairman of the standing committee on foreign relations, head of the EURONEST parliamentary assembly, Mr. Artak Zakaryan, as well as MPs Tevan Poghosyan and Aghvan Vardanyan.
Later, the delegation visited the Yerevan State Linguistic University named after Valery Bryusov, held a meeting and exchange of views with the rector and students.

On Monday afternoon, the delegation left Yerevan for Stepanakert, capital of Nagorno Karabakh Republic – Artsakh. Karl Vanlouwe -  who also is the first deputy president of the Belgian Senate - stressed the importance of protection of human rights and, in this context, Karabakh people's right to self-determination.
In Stepanakert, the delegation was welcomed by Mr. Ashot Ghoulian, Speaker of the National Assembly of Nagorno Karabakh – Artsakh.

In Artsakh, in the coming two days, the delegation will have meetings with the leadership of the country, the parliament and political parties, as well as civil society and church. Within the framework of this visit, Flemish and Nagorno Karabakh schools will cooperate on some educational and exchange programs.

European Armenian Federation for Justice & Democracy
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