ASUE Hosted H.E. Nico Schermers, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Armenia

On April 28, an international event was held at the Main University of Economics, hosting H.E. Nico Schermers, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Armenia, who lectured on "Armenian-Dutch Economic Relations and Development Opportunities". The meeting was remarkable, eventful, from a professional point of view. Representatives of ASUE teaching staff, students, employees of the RA Ministries of Finance and Economy attended the meeting.

ASUE Rector Diana Galoyan hosted Nico Schermers, noting that he is the first representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who is at ASUE. The Rector briefly presented to the Ambassador ASUE internationalization strategy and achievements, particularly referring to the international scientific-educational programs, the position of the University in the world ranking lists as an educational and research center.

The Ambassador's greeting was in Armenian, which pleasantly surprised and made those present smile.

"Hello, I am the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Armenia," the opening speech was followed by an equally remarkable Armenian thought. "I have been living in Armenia for several months now, I am learning Armenian, but now I want to switch to English, if you do not mind".

He gave a brief historical overview of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a country of Western Europe, then presented the economic situation of the country and the main directions of economic foreign policy. Discussing the economic side of the Armenian-Dutch relations, the Ambassador touched upon the cooperation and investments with different sectors of the economy. In this context, they talked about financial institutions, agriculture, energy, private capital, tourism, high technology. Nico Schermers mentioned that in 2021 the Netherlands directed the vector of economic cooperation with Armenia to the spheres of agriculture, tourism and high technologies.

Speaking about the prospects of economic relations between the two countries, he noted that Armenia is a democratic country and they are interested in it as an investment environment.

During the lecture, the Ambassador announced an essay contest on "Opportunities for Expanding Armenian-Dutch Business Relations", in which students can participate and submit their business ideas. We will announce about this additionally on ASUE website in the nearest future.

The lecture was summed up with question-answer session.

At the end of the meeting Sona Aghababyan, Leading Specialist at ASUE International Relations Division, presented the international exchange programs of the University, and Edita Ginosyan, Master’s degree student of International Economic Relations, presented to the Ambassador about the wide range of Armenia-EU relations, considering Armenia as a country with small but great potential and perspective.

Rector Diana Galoyan expressed hope that this is the first, but not the last meeting with the Ambassador, as the beginning of continuous cooperation.

ASUE Marketing and Public Relations Division