Status quo on Nagorno-Karabakh cannot continue - Chancellor Scholz

ArmInfo. The status quo on Nagorno-Karabakh cannot continue. It is necessary to reach a peaceful solution in terms of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as , the right of self-determination of the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated   on March 2 in Berlin at a joint press conference following a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

According to the German Chancellor, during the meeting with the  Armenian Prime Minister, they exchanged ideas regarding the deepening  of bilateral relations. .  , he said, calling important the fact that last year  Germany began cooperation with Armenia in the field of development.  Cooperation between the countries is also carried out on the platform  of the Eastern Partnership, he pointed out.

The Armenian Prime Minister and German Chancellor also touched upon  the conflict in Ukraine and its "significant impact on the South  Caucasus region." As Scholz mentioned, he is aware of the impact of  the conflict on the region, particularly on Armenia. In this regard,  it is important that Armenia and Azerbaijan move step by step towards  a long- term solution, he stressed.

Germany supports the mediation efforts of European Council President  Charles Michel.  Scholz stressed that Germany did this by also  sending German personnel as part of the EU civilian mission.  Moreover, as the Chancellor pointed out, an officer of the German  federal police heads this mission.

Scholz called the exchange of views between Pashinyan and Aliyev in  Prague and Munich an encouraging step towards resolving the conflict.

Commenting on Azerbaijan's unwillingness to comply with the decision  of the Hague Court to ensure free movement along the Lachin corridor,  Scholz confirmed: "We are a supporter of the right to  self-determination, as well as the principle of territorial  integrity." He stressed the importance of strengthening security in  the region.

Pashinyan and Scholz also discussed bilateral economic cooperation.  Germany is Armenia's most important trade partner in the EU, the  Chancellor noted. In this vein, he called on Prime Minister Pashinyan  to continue the fight against corruption.

Scholz also thanked the Prime Minister of Armenia for the visit to  Germany.