ArmenPress, Armenia
Aug 24 2018


High Level Pashinyan-Merkel talks take place in Yerevan


YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol
Pashinyan received on August 24 the Chancellor of the German Federal
Republic Angela Merkel, who is on an official visit to Armenia, and
her delegation, ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of
the Prime Minister of Armenia.

The PM welcomed the visit of the German Chancellor to Armenia,
underlining that in Armenia she enjoys quite high reputation, while
Armenian-German relations are highly valued in Armenia. “I welcome you
in the capital city of Armenia, Yerevan. This is the first visit of
the German Chancellor to Armenia and this can be assessed as a
historical event. Its importance is further emphasized given the fact
that your visit takes place after great political changes and in a new
reality and we expect effective talks with you under the conditions of
new political realities. We hope that this visit will mark the opening
of a new page of relations between our countries. I am confident you
have already felt the attitude that Germany and personally you enjoy
in Armenia. Germany is Armenia’s second major trade partner in the
world and the first in Europe. I hope that as a result of your visit
new impetus will be given to trade and economic relations. Let me
welcome you once again. Welcome to Armenia”, the PM noted.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked for the warm reception and
noted, “This visit takes place after great changes in Armenia. It was
unexpected for us and positive for you. We would like to hear your
assessments over what happened. And it was obvious that the breath of
the changes was present in the street. We are interested in future
development of relations with Armenia. Today we are in a city that is
2800 years old and in a country the nation of which has left
historical traces in the global civilization. Today I visited Tumo
center and saw there young girls and boys who design and develop
innovations, preserving the roots of Armenian culture. I understood
what kind of knowledge-based society exists in Armenia. We know that
this is a complicated region and we are ready to be helpful to you,
being your partner in the process of solving problems. We are ready to
foster and develop bilateral economic relations. We hope that we will
manage to record new results in that direction”.

The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues of Armenian-German
relations. The sides particularly referred to ongoing economic
projects, as well as to the prospects of new joint projects.

Referring to Armenia-EU cooperation, PM Pashinyan highlighted the
ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement,
reaffirming Armenia’s commitment to the implementation of widespread
reforms. According to the PM, Armenia highlights the expansion of EU’s
targeted assistance, based on the principle “more for more”. The
German Chancellor added that her country is ready to assist Armenia in
the implementation of reforms in various directions, as well as in the
expansion of Armenia-EU cooperation.

The sides also discussed the dialogue over visa liberalization,
deepening of inter-personal interaction, and issues over partnership
in healthcare, nature protection, road building, and information
technologies. The PM underlined that Armenia is ready to be a platform
for the German companies that want to enter the EAEU and Iranian
markets.

Nikol Pashinyan and Angela Merkel expressed satisfaction over the
cooperation in education, science and culture.

The Armenian PM and the German Chancellor referred to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict and highlighted the settlement of the conflict through
peaceful negotiations in the sidelines of the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chairs’ format. Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia highlights the
balanced position of Germany on NK issue and its support to the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format.

Referring to the international recognition and condemnation of the
Armenian Genocide, PM Pashinyan highlighted the adoption of the
resolution by the Bundestag in 2016 recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Translated and edited by Tigran Sirekanyan