HEIKE PEITSCH: ARMENIA CAN RELY ON AND INDEED TRUST GERMANY AS A PARTNER
The interview was conducted by Susanna Petrosian.

Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Germany, the second biggest donor
to Armenia after the U.S., has been providing active economic and
technical assistance to Armenia for more than ten years. In particular,
the greatest assistance has been provided in the implementation of
a number of programs in the sphere of energy, development of small
and medium-sized business, and development of communities, as well
as many others. Germany currently presides in the European Union and
actively supports Armenia in the issue of integration into European
structures. After the May 12 parliamentary elections Pamela Proische,
spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, stated that "Germany
insists on the intensification of Armenia’s cooperation with the EU."

The interview of Noyan Tapan correspondent Susanna Petrosian with Mrs
Heike Peitsch, Ambassador Extraordinare and Plenipotentiary of Germany
to Armenia, is dedicated to the estimation of the current level of
bilateral relations between Armenia and Germany, the prospects of
their development, and cooperation between Armenia and Germany within
the framework of European structures.

Q. Germany provides great assistance to Armenia in the development
of various economic spheres. In what directions is the German side
going to continue cooperating with Armenia?

A. The German government is content with the economic cooperation
carried out between our countries today.

Regular intergovernmental negotiations will take place in September
in Yerevan. The sphere of mortgage market development was also added
to the number of spheres in development with which Germany assists
Armenia. The program aimed at the development of the Armenian mortgage
market will be implemented by the KfW bank.

Current large-scale programs will continue to be implemented. As
a concrete example, we will mention the conducting of judicial
consultations with the assistance of German government.

Q. Today Germany is one of Armenia’s most important trade partners. Do
you agree that this circumstance is proof of the activation and
extension of Armenian-German bilateral ties? Is a growth of interest
in Armenia observed in Germany?

A. Indeed, trade between Germany and Armenia is also developing at
a rapid pace. Trade relations are successfully developing in the
spheres of both import and export.

The activity of Chronimet and Lycos enterprises is an example of
successful investment in the Armenian economy. The German company
Lufthansa has been running flights to Armenia for two years. Of
course, all of us could expect more, but everything I can say about
German investors is that their activity in Armenia in many respects
depends on the formation and development of the local legal system
and on the proper level of legal security. Legal security is not at
the proper level here and does not completely meet the requirements
of German entrepreneurs.

Q. How do you evaluate the level of Armenia’s cooperation with European
organizations and Germany’s providing assistance to Armenia in the
development of these relations?

A. Armenia’s involvement in the New European Neighborhood Policy and
the signing of the Actions Plan in November 2006 is evidence of the
fact that relations between the European Union and Armenia have risen
to a new level.

Of course, we all are very interested in the development of these
relations and I think they will indeed develop very well. Fulfilment
of the Actions Plan will give new impulse to these relations.

After Romania’s and Bulgaria’s entering the European Union it is as if
the borders of Europe became nearer to the South Caucasian region and
we are deeply interested in having neighbors who live a democratic,
stable and prosperous life.

Representing Germany, which currently presides in the European Union,
I am very glad that a Standing Committee on European Integration
Issues has been formed in the Armenian parliament. This important
event shows that the new parliament expresses interest in development
in that direction.

We are well aware of the historic ties existing between Armenia
and Russia.

We also know about good relations between Armenia and Iran. I hope in
the future Armenia will establish such good relations with neighboring
Turkey and Azerbaijan too. I think it is most important, at first,
to solve the problems with the neighbors. Of course, these problems
will not hinder Armenia from activating cooperation with European
structures. We salute that striving of Armenia. Speaking about European
structures, let me not limit myself to only the European Union, but
also Euroatlantic structures, including the Council of Europe, OSCE,
and NATO.

Q. The term of your stay in Armenia is coming to an end. In your
opinion, what is your greatest achievement during the period of your
taking the post of German Ambassador to Armenia?

A. I am leaving for Berlin in several weeks and I am going to work
at the German Foreign Ministry. My three-year activity in Armenia
as German Ambassador was very productive and interesting for
me. German-Armenian relations developed well in all spheres and I
think if we continue working the same way, these relations will be
just as excellent in the future.

I have had very interesting and memorable meetings with Armenians and
I can say that Armenians are a very hearty and sincere people. During
my numerous contacts with politicians I have constantly emphasized
that Armenia can rely on and indeed trust Germany as a partner.

Q. What would you like to wish to Armenia and the Armenian people?

A. I wish Armenia and the Armenian people to build a democratic,
legal state, a safe and prosperous country. We wish all of the region
to live the well-off and happy life we live.

Armenia has all the preconditions for good development. Armenia has no
oil and gas, but it has a great resource: its people. I have always
been surprised seeing Armenian parents seeking and trying to give
their children a good upbringing and education. And as Armenians pay
such great attention to education and are diligent, I am entirely
sure that Armenia indeed will have a good future.