The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs informs that Minister Narek Mkrtchyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Armenia, Eric De Muynck. The minister presented the programs implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for people forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, detailing the priorities set at the moment in the field of social protection.
“To meet the primary needs of our compatriots forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and to provide necessary social services, social support programs have been developed and implemented by the Ministry. The focus of our daily work and attention is also on the most vulnerable groups, especially the single elderly, people who need round-the-clock care, people with disabilities, and children left without parental care, who are under our care and care from the first day of entering the Republic of Armenia,” the minister noted.
Eric De Muynck expressed the readiness of the Kingdom of Belgium to support the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh and noted that there were victims of the explosion who were transferred to Belgium to receive necessary medical services.
Moving on to other issues on the agenda, the parties also discussed several issues related to the expansion of bilateral relations in labor and social protection. In particular, the possibilities of carrying out studies and exchanging experience were considered regarding the activities of the Federal Public Service of Social Security of the Kingdom of Belgium, programs aimed at economic activation of women, active aging policy, overcoming unemployment, and ensuring self-employment. Minister Mkrtchyan was also interested in using Disability Advantage Cards provided to people with disabilities based on the Belgian experience.
The minister, referring to sectoral cooperation, noted that during the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in March 2023, several sectoral issues were discussed during a meeting with the Vice President of the French Community in Belgium, Minister of Culture, Media, Women’s Rights, Child Care and Health, Bénédict Linard. In particular, the possibilities of cooperation in the field of women’s and children’s issues were discussed, and ideas were exchanged regarding implementing programs to ensure children’s involvement in various spheres of society in both countries. The minister expressed hope that practical and active work will be done on the already discussed sectorial issues.
Eric De Muynk presented the mechanisms operating in his country regarding socio-psychological needs assessment processes for vulnerable groups and other persons needing support.
“We value cooperation with you, first of all, because Armenia is a democratic state and also because there is an active Armenian community in Belgium. The Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union are willing to support and want to accompany Armenia on the path of democratic reforms,” the ambassador said.
At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed their willingness to implement the discussed plans quickly.
