– Dutch-Armenian Relations

Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Armenia were established on 30 January 1992, as Armenia regained its independence after six centuries of statelessness. The historic connections between the two countries go back into the depth of history. Perhaps, the first notable contact was in the 4th century, when Sint Servaas, an Armenian-born bishop became patron saint of Maastricht and the towns of Schijndel and Grimbergen.The Armenian community has since long had a place in the Netherlands.

Despite the historic connections, relations between the two countries are still in early stages of development. Notably, the economic relations have generally been good, but not close, trade and business connections, unfortunately, are still entirely unexploited. The Netherlands supports a number of social projects and economic reforms in Armenia. Yet there is an untapped potential that could strengthen the relationship between Armenia and the Netherlands.

- Political Relations

  • The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tbilisi, Georgia is also accredited to Armenia. The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands was opened in The Hague in 2011.
  • In March 2014 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Netherlands to attend the Nuclear Security Summit and met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
  • Like the Netherlands, Armenia is a member of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Armenia is part of the Netherlands’ constituency at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
  • In recent years Armenia has made headway with a growing number of political reforms. As a European Union (EU) member state, the Netherlands is encouraging Armenia to continue pursuing them. Dutch efforts are aligned with EU policy, which strives to shape relations with six neighboring countries on its eastern border, including Armenia, through the Eastern Partnership.
  • The Netherlands and the EU are concerned about Armenia’s conflict with Azerbaijan regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Any escalation could have major repercussions for stability in the region and for the European energy supply. The Netherlands supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
  • Armenia is also part of the EU’s Eastern Partnership. Since 2008 the EU has also had a Delegation to Armenia in Yerevan.
  • The Netherlands is urging Armenia and Turkey to cooperate with each other and pursue dialogue.

- Armenia At a Glance

Population: 3.0 mln
Total Area: 29,743 km2
Capital: Yerevan
Official language: Armenian
Currency: Dram (AMD)

- The Netherlands At a Glance

Population: 17,1 mln
Total Area: 41,543 km2
Capital: Amsterdam
Official languages: Dutch, Frisian
Currency: Euro (EUR)

- Economic Relations

  • Economic relations between the Netherlands and Armenia are limited. There is little bilateral trade and little Dutch investment in Armenia. The Netherlands is stimulating economic development in Armenia through various programs.
  • Negotiations with Armenia regarding an EU Association Agreement were concluded in July 2013. However, prior to the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, where the agreement was due to be signed, Armenia announced that it wanted to be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (joining on 2 January 2015). This meant that an Association Agreement with the EU as such was no longer possible. Since the Vilnius summit, Armenia has entered negotiations with the EU on an alternative form of association.
  • According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the Netherlands in January-December 2016 amounted $79.4 million, increasing by 3.4% on a YoY basis.
  • The Netherlands imports a small volume of manufactured or processed goods from Armenia and exports small volumes of machinery and transport equipment.

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