Pan Armenian News
GERMANY UNDERTOOK STRONG EFFORTS TO INCLUDE ARMENIA INTO THE EUROPEAN
NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY
German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Heike Renate
Peitsch is responding to PanARMENIAN.Net’s questions.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
How do You assess the present level of the Armenian-German relations?
Since Armenian independence our both countries have developed very friendly
and intense relations in all relevant fields. Concerning the economic
cooperation Germany has become Armenia’s second largest donor after the
United States of America.
Can You comment on the present level of the Armenian-German economic
cooperation and prospects of its development?
Thus far the German Government has committed a total of about 169,5 million
for the economic cooperation with Armenia. The main projects of the
Technical Cooperation are such as promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises
as well as of Local Authorities. The German-Armenian Financial Cooperation
includes three main sectors: the energy sector, the rehabilitation of
communal infrastructure (water supply and waste water systems) and the
promotion of financial and private sector.
As a result of the bilateral negotiations in April 2005 in Bonn an amount of
27 million has been allocated for the biennium 2005/2006.
Are Germany and Armenia going to implement new programs in the
trade-economic and tourism fields?
There are some very promising German investments in Armenia. Other German
companies are examining or preparing a stronger engagement in Armenia. But
let me stress the fact that it is the responsibility of the Armenian
government to create a friendly environment for foreign investments e.g. by
a transparent legal system.
Which are the prospects of the development of the political relations
between our states after Armenia’s inclusion in the Wider Europe: New
Neighbors EU Program?
Particularly Germany undertook strong efforts to include Armenia into the
European Neighbourhood Policy which constitutes an important step in the
process of approaching Armenia towards European structures. After publishing
of the country report last March we expect now the negotiations between the
EU Commission and the Armenian government on an Action Plan to begin as soon
as possible.
How the discussions on the adoption of the resolution condemning the
Armenian Genocide can affect the German-Turkish relationships? How the
adoption of the resolution will affect the Armenian-German relations?
We have always used our good relations with both countries to encourage them
to enter into a direct dialogue. Also Federal Foreign Minister Fischer
underlined this policy during his visit to Yerevan in April 2004.
Is it possible that under Turkey’s pressure the discussions on the draft
resolution will be suspended or cancelled?
How to deal with the draft resolution remains the responsibility of the
German Bundestag.
25.05.2005, “PanARMENIAN Network” analytical department