Speech for Armenia’s 34th Independence Anniversary by H.E. Ambassador Tigran Balayan

01 October, 2025

Dear elected Representatives of Europe,

Beste leden van de Kamer en Senaat,

Excellencies, dear colleagues,

Chers membres des conseils communals et municipales,

Distinguished guests from the European Commission and the EEAS, Belgian Government institutions,

Friends of Armenia,

Chers amis en vos titres, grades et qualités,

Սիրելի հայրենակիիցներ,

I am really grateful to you for joining us in celebrating the 34th anniversary of Armenia’s independence — a day when the voice of our people rose with clarity and conviction: that Armenia must be free and sovereign.

Freedom on the human level, and independence on the level of statehood, are ultimate values. They form the basis of our existence and co-existence. In more than 1000 years Armenians have never taken up arms for conquest or domination. If ever we have carried weapons, it has been only to defend our freedom and right to exist.

Even in the darkest times, when independence seemed distant, Armenian poets, thinkers, and leaders kept this flame alive. The text of Armenia’s national anthem that we just heard, written in the 19th century (1861), almost six decades before we regained sovereignty — is proof that freedom and statehood were always values worth fighting for. Throughout our history, independence has never come easily. It has been preserved through hardship, resistance, and the unwavering will to survive.

C'est aussi pourquoi notre indépendance est si précieuse aujourd'hui. Elle est l'aboutissement de siècles de résilience et de sacrifices, et elle implique une responsabilité : la protéger, la nourrir et ne jamais la tenir pour acquise. (That is also why our independence is so precious today. It is the fulfillment of centuries of resilience and sacrifice — and it carries with it a responsibility: to protect it, to nurture it, and never to take it for granted).

It is independence that empowers us today to pursue peace — without hesitation and with a clear, unwavering purpose: to safeguard our hard-won sovereignty and secure a future of dignity, security, and stability for our people in a much desired friendly neighborhood.

Yet even as we strive for peace, we must confront the painful reality that unresolved humanitarian issues remain. One of the most pressing is the continued detention of Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan. Last year, standing on this stage, I read the names of 23 hostages — a solemn appeal to conscience and justice. And yet, despite repeated calls from the international community, the issue remains unresolved. The Armenian public opinion looks forward to more active engagement of the EU and its member states in the soonest repatriation of all Armenian citizens from Azerbaijani custody.

Beste vrienden,

Independence and liberty are also the reasons we feel such a profound connection with Europe — with its culture of freedom, its commitment to democracy, and its unwavering belief in the sovereign right of peoples to shape their own future. Our deepening partnership with Europe makes Armenia more resilient, more self-sufficient, and less dependent — and that is exactly where true independence lies.

Over the past years, this collaboration has achieved historic breakthroughs and set new ambitions:

Armenia became the first and only partner country to benefit from the Resilience and Growth Plan, underscoring our unique role in Europe’s strategic vision;
We launched the visa liberalization Dialogue, which will bring people of Armenia closer than ever to the European family;
The deployment of the European Union Observers in Armenia became a game changer, a real contribution to the regional stability;
For the first time, Armenian Armed Forces received direct support through the European Peace Facility; we hope that following consistent efforts by the EEAS colleagues, the pending decision for the second assistance measure can be finalized.
We held two high-level meetings that delivered concrete, forward-looking results;
We concluded the New Partnership Agenda and signed the CSDP Framework Agreement, marking a new era of comprehensive political and security cooperation;
The European Parliament adopted several bold resolutions in support of deepening EU-Armenia relations — a powerful testament that the backing Armenia enjoys is rooted in the democratic will of the European people and its elected representatives.
And finally Armenia is looking forward to hosting the European Political Community summit next spring.

These milestones are not just achievements — they are strategic steps in Armenia’s evolution as a modern, independent, and globally integrated state.

Beste collega's van België,

Equally important is our relationship with the Kingdom of Belgium. For the first time the strengthening of partnership with Armenia is mentioned in the Belgian coalition agreement, the Belgian Parliament adopted a resolution in favour of expansion of Armenian–Belgian cooperation without a single vote against it. We have significantly expanded the scope of our collaboration, filling it with meaningful substance and shared purpose. These developments not only strengthen our bilateral ties, but also enhance Armenia’s ability to act independently and confidently on the global stage.

Chers amis,

On behalf of my colleague Ambassador Arman Israelian, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all NATO Ambassadors, NATO International Staff and International Military staff, for their constructive cooperation over the past years.

Dear friends, before we raise our glasses,

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the talented musicians who joined us today and brought to life the beauty and soul of Armenian traditional music. The Black Swan Quintet from the Netherlands masterfully weaves together diverse sounds, rhythms, and styles, offering a fresh and vibrant take on our folk heritage. With the brilliant Ruzanna Hakobyan as a part of the ensemble, their focus has deepened even further into Armenian folk music — a gift we are fortunate to witness today.

A special thank you goes to my dear friend, co-founder of the DAR Foundation, Hrachya Aghajanian, for making today's patisserie experience possible. His generous support brought us the exceptional talent of renowned pâtissier Robert Dadasyan, whose artistry speaks for itself. And for those currently on a diet — a small piece of advice: it’s worth taking a two-hour break!

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our partner Van Ardi Wines and its Brand Ambassador Werner Leemans for their generous partnership and for presenting one of Armenia’s finest wines — a perfect complement to today’s celebration of culture, tradition, and friendship.

And of course a deep gratitude to my dream team at the Embassy and Mission for their invaluable contribution in all achievements. I also want to emphasize the irreplaceable role of our family members, whose support to our mission is so much appreciated. Special thanks to my one and only partner for life - Hasmik.

As we mark this important anniversary, let us raise a glass:

To honor our past and build a brighter future,

To safeguard our independence with unity and wisdom,

And to ensure that democratic Armenia remains strong, sovereign, and free — for generations to come.

Կենաց and cheers!

MFA RA
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