Stepan Safaryan: German Chancellor Angela Merkel`s visit to Yerevan  will give new impetus to Armenian- German relations

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.