ArmInfo. Armenian-German relations have great potential for development. The visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Armenia will give a new impetus to these relations. This was stated by the founder of the Armenian Institute of International Relations and Security, political scientist Stepan Safaryan at a press conference in Yerevan on August 23.
The political expert stressed that recently the relations between Armenia and Germany have deepened, however, they are not developed as much as Armenia's relations with France and a number of other European countries. "This regional visit is undoubtedly connected with a number of foreign policy objectives set by Germany, one of which is Berlin's desire to deepen and expand its influence in the South Caucasus." An important fact for Armenia is the fact that Merkel will visit Yerevan after recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the German Bundestag, "Safaryan said, stressing that during his visit, Merkel will also visit the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex.
The political scientist also noted that certain contradictions arose during the preparations for this visit between Germany and Azerbaijan. In particular, the matter was that one of the members of the delegation, the deputy of the Bundestag of Germany from the "Christian Democratic Union" Albert Weiler, who is the representative of the parliamentary group on cooperation with the countries of Trans Caucasus, was included in the black list of Azerbaijan, for the fact that the latter in 2014 and 2016 visited Artsakh. "Vailer was denied entry to Azerbaijan, however, noticing that if the latter asks for forgiveness, he can visit Baku." Of course, there were no apologies, and Merkel promised to raise the issue during her visit to Azerbaijan, " "Safaryan said, noting that the cooling of relations between Germany and Turkey, and also, the last conflict between Berlin and Baku can play into Armenia's hands. "In such a situation, we have all the chances for the development of relations between Yerevan and Berlin," the expert said.
Safaryan noted that during the visit of Merkel to Yerevan the issues related to the Agreement on Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership between the European Union and Armenia, the deepening of the relations between Yerevan and Berlin, the possibilities of simplifying the visa regime for the entry of RA citizens into the EU, as well as one of the the main topics will be the discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. "The German Chancellor has repeatedly noted that the Karabakh issue should be resolved exclusively peacefully within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, and Merkel also noted that security and stability in the region is very important.The German government, of course, understands that after the April the four-day war, the relations between Yerevan and Baku have become very tense, I think the Nagorno- Karabakh issue will become one of the topics on the agenda, "the political scientist said. The expert also said that before such countries as Germany, there is never a question with whom it is preferable to develop relations with Armenia or with Azerbaijan. "For each country, her personal interests are the main thing, so Germany will develop its relations both with Yerevan and Baku, to the extent that it will be beneficial," the expert concluded.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan within her regional visit to the South Caucasus. Merkel will arrive in Yerevan on August 24. During her visit to Yerevan, Merkel is scheduled to hold talks with Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. A source in the German government said that after Pashinyan led the government as a result of large-scale demonstrations, "a positive agenda" is observed in relations between states. "From our point of view, now is a good time to visit this country," noted in Berlin. Merkel will also meet with Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and visit the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex.