For the first time in history the Netherlands will have its resident Embassy in Armenia. H.E. Mr. Nico Schermers is designated as the first resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.
His Excellency Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands commented on this decision: “The opening of the Dutch resident Embassy in Yerevan is a manifestation of intensification of relations and will contribute to the strengthening of centuries-old bonds. I am confident that Ambassador Nico Schermers will be an important ally in expanding bilateral cooperation in all possible fields.”
His Excellency Mr. Nico Schermers, first designated resident Ambassador told us: “For me, the opening of this embassy could not come at a more interesting and important time. Not only is it a key step in further enhancing our bilateral relations it is also a testament to the trust we have in Armenia’s future. Two years after the Velvet Revolution the country is in the middle of an impressive political transition. A lot has been achieved in only a short span of time. Ahead now lies the task of implementing reforms, which will at times be challenging. As my Minister already noted during his excellent visit to Yerevan last January, the Netherlands will be an ally in these reform-efforts. I am truly excited that as an ambassador I will be able to play my part.”
On December 5, 2019 Tweede Kamer (the Dutch House of Representatives) has allocated necessary funding (2 million Euro) for establishing the resident Dutch Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia by adopting an amendment to 2020 Dutch MFA budget.
The website of the Dutch foreign ministry elaborates on this decision: ‘’Armenia is wedged between Russia, Turkey and Iran and is therefore of strategic importance. Since the so-called “velvet revolution” in April 2018, the new government has been modernizing the country and fighting corruption. The Netherlands can support this process. At the moment Armenia is the only country in that region where the Netherlands has no embassy. The House of Representatives also wants an embassy in Yerevan’’ .
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands were established on 30 January 1992. Before establishing a Dutch Embassy in Armenia, Dutch Ambassadors to Armenia resided in Tbilissi, Georgia.
The recent Ambassador of Kingdom of the Netherlands to Armenia (with residence in Tbilisi) ambassador Maria Christina Koldam, presented her credentials to the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian on 12 November 2019.
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Yerevan, Armenia, The Republic Square. Photography by Makalu.
