On August 29 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, the President of the National Assembly, received Mr. François Roelants du Vivier, Chairman of the External Relations and Defense Committee of Belgium Senate.

During the meeting the issues related to the European Integration of Armenia, the relations with the neighbors and the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue were discussed. Addressing the greetings of Ms. Anne-Marie Lizin, the President of the Belgium Senate, to the President of the National Assembly, Mr. Vivier noted that he would pursue to the adoption of the draft law on Denial, submitted to the Senate at the beginning of 2006, which related to the recognition of 1915 Armenian Genocide. Mr. Vivier reminded that only Belgium among 25 member countries of the EU is for the restarting membership negotiations with Turkey. The Senate adopted a resolution, where a number of preconditions were presented to Turkey: the problem of the Armenian Genocide Recognition should be the second, after the Cyprus issue, as the country willing to become a member of the European family should accept the European values. Mr. Vivier also presented that approach also in Ankara - in the parliament of Turkey and to the high-ranking officials, he met their resistance though he has an impression that they are inclined to listen to. During his visit in Armenia Mr. Vivier will also visit Nagorno Karabakh. Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh issue, he noted that he did not share the viewpoint of co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group that the negotiations should be terminated in pre-electoral period. He is worried about doubling the Azerbaijani military budget and considers that the international community should focus on this fact, if not taking into consideration not taking into account the propaganda.In his opinion the settlement of the issue should take into consideration the respect of the right on self-determination, published after Rambouillet, which is that variant when there will be no winners and defeated.

Touching upon to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Mr. Tigran Torosyan, RA NA President noted that also in his opinion (it was said during the meeting with Matthew Bryza, OSCE Minsk Group USA Co-Chairman  ) the negotiation should not be connected with the pre-election period and the working time also should not be limited, as the successful settlement of the issue can positively reflect on the results of the elections. And the wrong settlement will always be unacceptable. Mr. Torosyan emphasized the importance of the fact that since 2005 the right of self-determination is fixed in several international documents as a principle for the resolution of the conflict. After the negotiations in Rambouillet it became clear, what principles will be in the basis of the resolution, the consecutive application of that principle is especially important. The President of the National Assembly expressed his concern that the Azerbaijani mass media intensified hatred and war propaganda towards Armenia and Armenians, which is unacceptable for CE member country; this fact also should be focused on. He noted that though the referendum was held in Nagorno Karabakh in 1991 within the framework of laws of the USSR, in case of necessity it will be carried out once more. Mr. Torosyan also noted that after the ceasefire it is already 12 years that the adjacent territories of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, which are under the control of the army of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, secure the safety of population, and it is evident that any claim connected with the territories, is unacceptable to discuss separately from the status of the N К R.

The parties emphasized the importance of the European Integration of the countries of the region, which would also promote to overcome the conflicts and political and economic development. Mr. Vivier noted that the European Union member countries have more favorable attitude to the membership of Armenia in the EU day by day. Mr. Tigran Torosyan, the President of the National Assembly, highlighted the succession of the current and further steps in that direction, which will give guarantees for success.

During the meeting other issues were also discussed.