YEREVAN. – Republic of Armenia National Assembly (RA NA) Chairman Ara Babloyan on Thursday received President Ankie Broekers-Knol of the Senate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Welcoming the President of the Dutch Senate in the RA National Assembly, Babloyan noted that the visit takes place in the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and expressed hope that it would promote the deepening and development of the state and parliamentary ties, the NA informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Talking about passing into the processes following the constitutional reforms in Armenia and the system of the parliamentary government, he highlighted the centuries-old track-record of the parliamentary government of the Netherlands and considered it instructive, in terms of the exchange of experience. The RA NA speaker noted that Armenia goes to democracy and power decentralization with distinct walks.
According to Ara Babloyan, Armenia is the only country, which being a Eurasian Economic Union member, will sign the agreement with the EU, becoming a bridge between Europe and Asia.
The RA NA President thanked the Kingdom of the Netherlands for giving shelter to the emigrants, who had survived Armenian Genocide, and accepting and condemning the Genocide, noting that the condemnation is a way of prevention.
Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict, Ara Babloyan stated that different comments are given to this issue, but it is historically proved that the Armenians have lived on that territory and holding independence referendum, have gained independence. In the words of the head of the Armenian parliament, the Artsakh people were considered to be the first that during the years of the Soviet Union voiced out loud the exercise the nations’ right to self-determination and protection of human rights.
Ara Babloyan documented: “We have no problem with the people of Azerbaijan. Our problem is to ensure the security of the Artsakh people, solving the issue under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs through the peaceful negotiations.”
Ara Babloyan expressed the hope that Armenia and the Netherlands will deepen cooperation in education, health care and culture, contributing to their peoples’ peaceful and well-to-do life. The RA NA president stated that the peoples’ security, health and education are of priority for the two countries.
Ankie Broekers-Knol, for her part, said it is a great honor for her to visit Armenia. In the words of the President of the Dutch senate, Armenia has an important position in the region and can become a bridge between the East and the West, connecting peoples and countries.
Broekers-Knol, as a speaker of the senate of a country with parliamentary government, highlighted the constitutional reforms held in Armenia and the processes following them on the way of democratic development.
Also, chairman Ara Babloyan of the RA National Assembly and president Ankie Broekers-Knol of the Dutch senate planted a fir at the RA National Assembly garden, as a token of the two peoples’ everlasting friendship.