Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Thank you for your interest in our organisation. Below we answer the key questions about our aims and background. Do not hesitate to let us know if you have any remaining questions.

Please scroll down for the French version.

WHAT IS EUFOA?

European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) is a young non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in Brussels as an AISBL (Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif) and operating mainly from there across Europe since February 2009.

WHAT DOES EUFOA WANT TO ACHIEVE AND HOW DOES EUFOA WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS?

EuFoA seeks to build bridges between Armenian and European decision makers in the fields of politics, business and culture, and support Armenia's further integration into European political, economic, and social structures. We are building up a network, offering know-how and contacts for both sides. We want each decision maker to have a direct link to their counterpart on the other side in order to get first-hand information quickly and easily. This includes encouraging people to people contacts between key members of civil society, and raising public awareness of Europe in Armenia. We want each side to know much more about the other, and will distribute the relevant information both pro-actively and on demand. With all this we aim to improve mutual understanding and promote co-operation.

WHAT ACTIVITIES DOES EUFOA INTEND TO CARRY OUT?

Our activities centre around two pillars: networking and information. We are widening our network and working to serve the members of that network in all matters of Europe-Armenia relations. And we are providing all interested and relevant stakeholders with information relevant to Europe-Armenia relations. To make this possible we will:

• organise seminars, conferences and public events on all topics related to Europe-Armenia relations;
• prepare and/or coordinate studies on economic, political and cultural issues and civil society in Armenia;
• co-operate with the EU Institutions, other European organisations and governmental agencies dealing with Armenia and Armenian issues;
• develop partnerships with all relevant organisations which share the EuFoA goals.

WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THIS?

The founding members, equally European and Armenian, have often witnessed in their professional work that enhanced information, personal contacts and understanding between the two sides are the key to the development of good relations and co-operation, and even integration. Such good relations are absolutely vital for Armenia and Europe: Armenia's sustainable development, the stability and prosperity of the whole South Caucasus region, and European interests attached to this make good relations and sound co-operation imperative.

WHAT IS EUFOA'S STRUCTURE?

EuFoA's secretariat is based in Brussels and managed by Secretary General Michael Kambeck. Besides, we created the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council and the Europe-Armenia Economic Advisory Council which aim to promote relations between Europe and Armenia from the European side. Composed of leading representatives from the political, business and cultural spheres from across Europe, they provide guidance on all major issues in these areas. Both Councils also advise EuFoA on its long-term policies and are an integral part of its wider network.

The members of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council so far are:

• Mr Kornel ALMASSY (Hungary), Member of Hungarian Parliament, Chairman of Youth of Democratic Forum
• Mr Elmar BROK MEP (Germany), EPP Coordinator (and former Chairman) for the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Chair of the Delegation for USA, European People's Party (EPP) Group
• Professor Bernard COULIE (Belgium), Honorary rector of Université catholique de Louvain, author of numerous publications on Armenian studies
  
• Ms Alexandra DOBOLYI (Hungary), Co-Chair of the Committee for the CIS, the Caucasus and the Black Sea of the Socialist International, Member of the Presidency of the PES Party, former MEP
• Mr Frank ENGEL MEP (Luxembourg), Member of Commitee for Employment and Social Affairs, EPP Group
  
• H.E. Bishop Joseph HOMEYER (†), (Germany), Bishop Emeritus of Hildesheim, former Head of COMECE (Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community)
• Ms Marie Anne ISLER BÉGUIN (France), former MEP, Chair of Delegation to South Caucasus, Greens Group
• Mr Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP (Cyprus), Vice chair of the EPP Group, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)
• Ms Joëlle Le MORZELLEC (France), Rector of the French University of Armenia
• Ms Katja PLATE (Germany), Regional Political Manager of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's representation in the Caucasus
• Ms Michèle RIVASI MEP (France), Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Vice-chair of the Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, member of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
• Mr François ROCHEBLOINE MP (France), Member of the National Assembly of France, Vice President of the General Council of Loire
• Mr François ROELANTS DU VIVIER (Belgium), Honorary Senator
• Mr René ROUQUET MP (France), Secretary of the National Assembly of France, Member of the Delegation in charge of the international activities, Vice-president of the France-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group
• Mr Valéry SAFARIAN (Belgium), Chairman of Belgian Armenian Chamber of Commerce, Account Manager and Insurance Broker of Concordia (Wells Fargo network)
  
• Dr Charles TANNOCK MEP (United Kingdom), EP AFET Member, Delegation to Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Spokesman of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group
  

The members of the Europe-Armenia Economic Advisory Council so far are:

• Mr Pierre GURDJIAN (Belgium), Managing Partner of McKinsey and Co
• Mr Valéry SAFARIAN (Belgium), Chairman of Belgian Armenian Chamber of Commerce, Account Manager and Insurance Broker of Concordia (Wells Fargo network)
• Mr Philippe SUINEN (Belgium), Chief Executive Officer of the Wallone Agency for the export

WHO FOUNDED EUFOA?

EuFoA was established by four founding members (in alphabetical order):

• Mr Paruyr AMIRJANYAN, Senior Manager at the International Center for Human Development, Yerevan

• Ms Roberta BONAZZI, Executive Director of the European Foundation for Democracy, Brussels

• Mr Michael KAMBECK, EuFoA Secretary General, Brussels

• Mr Tevan J. POGHOSYAN, Executive Director of the Armenian Atlantic Association and the International Center for Human Development, Yerevan

EuFoA's initial sponsor was the International Center for Human Development in Yerevan and a small number of Armenian businessmen who support our cause. We seek to diversify our financial sources and particularly invite interested parties based or active in Western Europe to support us.

WHEN REFERRING TO "EUROPE", DO YOU INCLUDE ARMENIA?

Yes, certainly. Just as people refer to "German, French, British etc relations with Europe", we refer to "Armenian relations with Europe". It is for readability that we use "Europe" when referring broadly to the EU and other European organisations, such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

WHAT IS THE IDEOLOGY BEHIND EUFOA?

Diverse as we are, there is not much room for ideological thinking in our organisation. However, the common ground for all our actions and communications can be summarised in the following question: Is X or Y good for the relations between Armenia and Europe? If the answer is YES, we will consider making it one of our priorities.

WHERE DOES EUFOA WANT TO BE ACTIVE?

Our goals can only be achieved if we operate across Europe. A particular focus is working with European institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, with decision makers and interested representatives of the business and cultural community in European capitals including Yerevan.

WHAT IS EUFOA'S STANCE ON COOPERATION WITH OTHER NGOS, INCLUDING WITH ARMENIAN DIASPORA ORGANISATIONS?

EuFoA is open to cooperation with all parts of civil society. The Armenian Diaspora organisations in Europe are particularly active in this field, especially when it comes to its cultural aspects. These NGOs take various focal points, many of which are derived from the cultural heritage of Armenian Diaspora communities. Their contribution to the spread of knowledge about Armenia and the Armenian culture is invaluable. It is therefore natural that EuFoA will co-operate with any Diaspora NGO that shares our goals and values and promote partnership with different organisations, associations, communities in Diaspora and Armenia.

Click here to download the FAQ in English.

Click here to download the FAQ in French.