On Sunday 16 May 2021, representatives of the Armenian communities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg, considering that Armenians’ strength lies in their capacity to work together, met in Brussels to discuss ways to deepen their ties and further their collaboration.In that perspective, they have established a common objective to guide their actions in the future, i.e. contributing to the development and safety of Armenian people both in diaspora and in the homeland.
The means in view of reaching this objective include:
• Advocacy in the interest of Armenia and Armenians towards governments, parliaments and other public entities, in a coordinated way in the Benelux;
• Sharing and producing accurate information of relevance for reaching the objective;
• The organisation of coordinated cultural events/campaigns to promote Armenian culture;
• Strengthening ties with Armenia and Artsakh authorities and with civil society organisations;
• Strengthening ties with representatives of Armenian communities in other countries in Europe.
The representatives of Armenian communities in the Benelux countries also wish to express their concern regarding the recent developments on the borders of Armenia in particular. The Azerbaijani army indeed advanced into the territory of the Republic of Armenia on Wednesday 12. 10 days later, they have still not left.
In view of the recent war, and of more distant events, any kind of encroachment of the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, is unacceptable and may lead to grave destabilisation of the whole region. We therefore call on the governments of the Benelux countries to express their support to Armenia in this issue, to use all their diplomatic power, including by initiating and supporting diplomatic statements at the EU and at the OSCE. We also call on them to prevail upon the authorities of Azerbaijan to withdraw from Armenian territories and to stop their policy of provocation towards Armenia. If necessary, Benelux countries should express their readiness to assist Armenia in protecting its border against hostile incursions.
Our communities will remain active and mobilised and will coordinate closely on these matters in particular.
Comité des Arméniens de Belgique – Comité van Armeniërs van België
Federatie van Armeense Organisaties in Nederland
Group d’Amitié Arménie - Luxembourg