Dutch former Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp considers the strategic partnership declaration signed between Yerevan and Amsterdam highly important for the development and deepening of bilateral relations.
According to him, the Netherlands is working actively to implement the document. He noted that the both sides should continue advancing the provisions outlined in the declaration.
Speaking to Armenpress about the significance of the strategic partnership declaration signed between Yerevan and Amsterdam in 2025 and the prospects for further deepening bilateral ties, Veldkamp stressed the importance of continued cooperation.
The declaration on strategic partnership between Armenia and the Netherlands was signed on March 12, 2025, by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and former Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
“We signed the strategic partnership declaration between the Netherlands and Armenia about a year ago. We in the Netherlands are working hard to implement and expand it, and it is encouraging to see that the new Dutch government, in its coalition agreement, specifically mentions Armenia for its democratic development.
We see that since 2018 Armenia has been moving in the direction of democracy, and this is very important. It is important not only for relations between Armenia and the Netherlands, but also for relations between Armenia and the European Union,” Veldkamp noted.
According to him, promoting democracy, the rule of law and good governance is particularly important in the current geopolitical context, adding that it is essential to know which partners share common values.
Assessing the significance of the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan on May 4 in terms of Armenia-EU relations, Veldkamp noted that Amsterdam has expressed unequivocal support in this regard.
“As your prime minister once told me, Armenia wants to improve its relations with the European Union. The Netherlands fully supports this.
It is also very important that Europe has paid considerable attention to Armenia. The fact that the European Political Community Summit took place here, that an Armenia-EU summit was held for the first time, and that the President of France paid a state visit to Armenia should all be taken into account,” Veldkamp emphasized.
Speaking about the prospects for Armenia-Netherlands relations, Veldkamp noted that significant steps have already been taken.
“The Netherlands opened an embassy in Yerevan, and then we saw the launch of the strategic partnership. There are many areas where we can cooperate. In addition, the Netherlands, as a founding member of the EU with extensive experience in the Union’s technical processes, can also help Armenia in this regard.
Now, the Armenian Foreign Ministry has a Department for European Integration specifically focused on EU-related work and Armenia-EU relations,” Veldkamp said.
According to him, the strategic partnership document signed between Armenia and the Netherlands should now be fully implemented.
“I see that there is full support for it in the Netherlands as well,” the former Dutch foreign minister concluded.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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