Դեսպան Բալայանի ելույթը ՀՀ անկախության 35-ամյակին նվիրված տոնական ընդունելությանը

21 սեպտեմբերի, 2026

Cher Vice-Premier Ministre Votre Excellence Monsieur Clarinval,

Dear European Commissioner Your Excellency Prime-Minister Kubilius,

Excellencies, Dear Ambassadors,

Members of Parliaments,

Dear colleagues and friends of the European and Belgian State Institutions, and corps diplomatique,

Honorable Representatives of International Staff and International Military Staff of NATO, Mesdames et Messieurs en vos titres, grades et qualités,

Հայ առաքելական եկեղեցու հարգելի հոգևոր հայրեր,

Dear representatives of the Business community, NGOs, civil society and Media,

Սիրելի հայրենակիցներ,

Beste vrienden,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government and the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, my colleague Ambassador Arman Israelyan, the diplomatic missions of Armenia to Belgium, the European Union, and NATO, I welcome, and thank you, merci en Bedankt for joining us tonight to celebrate the 35th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia.

I want to underline how delighted we are to welcome you to this magnificent Cercle Royal Gaulois, a place with such a rich history and tradition at the heart of Brussels' political, intellectual, cultural and diplomatic life. I cannot think of a more fitting setting to bring together so many friends of Armenia on this solemn occasion.

And before I begin delivering my core messages, I would also like to thank those who have contributed to making tonight's reception possible. My almighty collegues Anahit and Tamara, our caterers and partners: Lian Deco, the Armenian Garden, who have prepared a wonderful opportunity for you to discover and enjoy the taste and flavours of Armenia. Made in Armenia and by Armenians products are widely represented tonight thanks to their efforts. Merci to Arman Group, Paradise Company, Armenian Wine and Brandy and Van Ard wines, our wonderful choir. I warmly thank all of them for helping to bring Armenian hospitality, joie de vivre and saveurs to the heart of Brussels and for contributing to the growing presence of Armenian products and businesses in Europe.

Dear friends,

This is a very emotional day for all Armenian citizens and for the vast majority of ethnic Armenians in the Diaspora, regardless of their geographical location or citizenship.

Thirty-five years ago, the Armenian people made a historic choice: to restore their independence, to take responsibility for their own destiny, and to build a state capable of surviving, developing and determining its own future.

Independence, however, is not something that is achieved once and forever.

It is not a simple date in history.

It is a continuous process. A daily choice. Sometimes a difficult one.

And if I look back at the past years, I would say that Armenia has become more independent.

More independent in the choices we make. More independent in the partnerships we build. More independent in the way we shape our future.

This growing independence has been reflected in the diversification we have pursued — politically, economically, in security, connectivity and international partnerships.

And in this process, Europe and the European Union, its member states have played a major role.

Dear Commissioner Kubilius, colleagues of the European Institutions,

For Armenia-EU relations, the past year has been a remarkable, unprecedented and historic one. Our partnership has moved beyond political dialogue towards tangible strategic engagement.

The Strategic Agenda for the EU–Armenia Partnership, adopted at the end of 2025, provided an important institutional framework for this new stage.

And 2026 has demonstrated what such a partnership can achieve.

The inaugural EU–Armenia Summit in May became, in many ways, the jewel in the crown of our joint efforts.

It was unprecedented not only because of its political significance, but also because of the number of concrete agreements and initiatives that accompanied it.

The Summit demonstrated that Armenia and the European Union are increasingly becoming partners not only in words, but in action.

The fact that President Ursula von der Leyen visited Armenia twice this year speaks for itself.

Armenia also had the honour of hosting the European Political Community Summit.

These events sent a powerful message: Armenia has become an integral part of Europe's strategic and political outlook.

This partnership is now expanding in literally every area from connectivity to research and innovation, from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to education, from transport infrastructure to digital integration.

From the extension of European transport networks towards Armenia to our practical efforts to join the Single European Payment Area. The anticipated adoption of Autonomous Trade Measures for Armenia is another important expression of European solidarity and support for Armenia's economic resilience and diversification.

The EU's growing engagement in connectivity is particularly important.

For Armenia, connectivity is not merely about roads, railways or infrastructure.

It is about overcoming isolation. It is about connecting people, markets and societies.

It is about putting emotions and illusions aside and being as pragmatic as our partners and interlocutors. It is about transforming geography from a limitation into an opportunity.

Through the Connectivity Agenda and Armenia's Crossroads of Peace initiative, the TRIPP route, our country has the potential to become an increasingly important bridge between Europe and Asia.

Strategic priorities are turning into infrastructure. Political commitments are becoming investments. And partnership is becoming visible in the daily lives of people. Because ultimately, strategic partnerships should not be measured only by declarations, summits and photographs.They should be measured by what they deliver for people.

The European Union's decision to provide additional financial support to Armenia at a particularly challenging moment was therefore much more than financial assistance. It is a demonstration of solidarity and carries an important political message: when Armenia faces difficulties, Europe is prepared to stand with Armenia.

Dear Commissioner Kubilius, colleagues and friends from the EEAS,

Perhaps nowhere has the transformation of our partnership been more visible than in the field of security and defence.

Over recent years, Armenia and the European Union have developed an increasingly comprehensive framework of cooperation.

Today, Armenia is the only country where two EU missions operate simultaneously under different mandates — EUMA and EUPM Armenia. This is a powerful reflection of the trust and depth of cooperation we have built.

Our partnership now ranges from countering hybrid threats, disinformation and cyberattacks to military education, humanitarian demining and support through the European Peace Facility.

Armenia has also made clear that we do not wish to remain merely a recipient of support. We want to contribute to our common security. That is why Armenia has taken practical steps to participate in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions.

Dear friends,

Throughout these years, the European Parliament has remained Armenia's strongest and most principled partner.

The resolution supporting democratic resilience in Armenia, the continued engagement of Members of the European Parliament, and the Prime Minister's second address to the plenary all testify to the strength of this relationship.

And perhaps one of the most symbolic moments of my diplomatic career was the opening of the Armenian alphabet monument, Armatagir — The Power of Roots, in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

It is more than a monument. It is a reminder that Armenia brings to Europe not only its geopolitical aspirations, but also its civilisation, identity, culture and voice.

Cher Vice Premier-Ministre Clarinval, Mes chers amis belges,

Je me réjouis tout particulièrement que la coopération bilatérale entre l’Arménie et la Belgique se soit également étendue au domaine de la sécurité et de la défense.

Plus tôt cette année, lors du défilé militaire organisé à Erevan, j’ai été particulièrement fier de voir parmi les nouveaux équipements présentés des armes de fabrication belge — un symbole très concret du partenariat croissant entre nos pays.

Beste vrienden van België,

Onze samenwerken met België hebben zich in de afgelopen jaren opmerkelijk ontwikkeld. (Our relations with Belgium have developed remarkably during these years.)

Trade turnover has grown significantly, while new areas of cooperation have emerged — particularly in information technologies, defence and business development.

The upcoming Belgian economic mission to Armenia, organised by the Belgian-Armenian Chamber of Commerce, will undoubtedly provide new momentum to our economic partnership. I would like to particularly thank the BACC President Valery Safarian and all the members of the Chamber for their consistent efforts.

At a time when Belgium is reconsidering and reshaping its diplomatic presence around the world, the decision to establish consular services at the Belgian Embassy in Armenia is another vivid manifestation of Belgium's solidarity and commitment.

It is fully in line with the provisions of the Belgian Government's Coalition Agreement and with unanimous resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives.

Early in the morning of May 5th, right before the EPC Summit, Prime Ministers Pashinyan and De Wever officially inaugurated the new premises of the Belgian Embassy in Yerevan. To the best of my knowledge, this was the first and only occasion on which an Armenian leader personally attended the opening of a foreign embassy.

I believe this was more than a ceremonial gesture. It was a powerful manifestation of Armenia's special feelings towards Belgium and the Belgian people.

These achievements would not have been possible without the consistent and principled support of many friends of Armenia.

Allow me to express my particular gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval; Speaker of the Parliament Peter de Roever, to the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Mevrouw Els Van Hoof; to Michel De Maegd; to Darya Safayi, Senator Karl Vanlouwe; Mark Hendrix and to so many members of the Belgian Federal and regional parliaments who have stood with Armenia.

The Belgian Parliament has repeatedly demonstrated that solidarity with Armenia is not a matter of political convenience, but of principles.

There is hardly an issue of importance to Armenia that has not been raised, discussed or defended in this Parliament.

We zijn daar zeer dankbaar voor. (We are deeply grateful for that.)

Bedankt et merci!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I deeply believe that there is a time for certain ideas to arrive — and when that time comes, they find a way to express themselves through us.

Perhaps this is what we are witnessing today in Armenia's relationship with Europe.

The idea of a democratic, peaceful, resilient and increasingly European Armenia did not emerge overnight.

It has been built through difficult choices, reforms, sacrifices and the determination of the Armenian people.

Today, that idea is finding increasingly concrete expressions.

But our celebration tonight should not make us forget those who cannot celebrate it properly.

For me personally, one of the greatest disappointments of these years has been my inability to convince our partners in Brussels to take sufficiently tangible action for the liberation of Armenian hostages illegally detained in Azerbaijan.

Their continued detention contradicts the fundamental values on which Europe is built.

And it harms not only the rights and dignity of the individuals concerned, but also the credibility of the principles we all claim to defend.

I sincerely hope that freedom will return to all those Armenian citizens who are unjustly deprived of it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tonight is indeed very emotional for me personally for another reason.

This is my last National Day reception as Ambassador of Armenia to the European Union and Belgium.

After eight fascinating years in Benelux, — first in The Hague and then here in Brussels — I will return to Yerevan at the end of this year.

When I look back at these years, I cannot describe them simply as a list of achievements.

There were successes.

There were disappointments.

There were moments of great satisfaction and moments of frustration.

But every single day was rewarding and challenging at the same time.

Diplomacy is ultimately not about titles, buildings or protocol.

It is about people.

It is about trust.

It is about friendships.

It is about the ability to find common ground, even when circumstances are difficult.

And above all, it is about believing that dialogue, patience and human connection can make a difference.

Tonight, therefore, I would like to thank all of you.

My colleagues and friends of the Belgian and European authorities and institutions.

Members of the European Parliament and the Belgian Parliaments.

Diplomats and representatives of international organisations, journalists and NGOs.

Belgian-Armenian Diaspora and its numerous organisations .

Our partners, colleagues and friends.

And, of course, my extraordinary Embassy team, without whom none of what we have achieved would have been possible.

And a special appreciation ion, my deepest gratitude goes to my charming spouse, Hasmik, and my children, Sona and Alain, who travelled from Lyon and Yerevan to be by my side today.

You have made these years unforgettable.

Chers amis,

Thirty-five years after restoring its independence, Armenia continues its journey. A journey that has not always been easy. A journey marked by tragedy and hardship, but also by resilience, courage and revival. Today, Armenia is once again making choices about its future. And independence means having the courage to make those choices.

To choose peace over conflict.

Democracy over authoritarianism.

Cooperation over isolation.

Opportunity over fear.

And a future shaped by our own decisions.

Our task now is to preserve the momentum we have created with Europe.

To transform political commitments into tangible results.

To deepen our partnerships.

And to ensure that Armenia becomes not only more connected to Europe, but also stronger, more resilient and more independent.

Beste vrienden,

My personal chapter in Brussels may soon come to an end.

But the chapter of Armenia's partnership with Belgium and the European Union is in full blossom. I am blessed for a chance to contribute.