ArmenPress, Armenia Aug 24 2018 Armenia's culture ministry plans to replenish UNESCO list with new monuments YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian culture ministry plans to replenish the UNESCO World Heritage list with new monuments, deputy culture minister Tigran Galstyan told ARMENPRESS, adding that major works are underway on this path. “We have only few monuments registered in UNESCO which is absurd. This number should be tenfold, multiplied since we really have worthy monuments. Works are also underway on this direction, but it’s not an easy work”, the deputy minister said. “We would like several monuments to be included in the UNESCO list, for instance, Noravank, which must definitely be included in that list. Moreover, there are also other monuments which deserve to be included in the list”. The deputy culture minister said the topic of preservation of monuments is the most sensitive in the field of culture since the demolition of each monument in previous years has been accompanied by mass protests. “The culture ministry has two major functions – formation of cultural policy and preservation of monuments. The latter is very important for the ministry”, Tigran Galstyan said, reminding that recently the expert commission unanimously voted in favor of the proposal to include several structures to the list of immovable cultural and historical monuments. “This is a continuous process, the list of monuments should be constantly supplemented. We have proposed the public also to participate in this process, and all proposals will be discussed at the session of the expert commission”, he said. The following Armenian sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list: Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley Full version of the interview is available in Armenian. Interview by Roza Grigoryan Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Category: 2018
Chancellor Merkel’s visit unprecedented in 26-year-old diplomatic relations between Germany and Armenia
ArmenPress, Armenia Aug 24 2018 Chancellor Merkel's visit unprecedented in 26-year-old diplomatic relations between Germany and Armenia YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will arrive in Armenia on an official visit on August 24-25. ARMENPRESS has summed up the 26 years of the bilateral relations between Armenia and Germany ahead of the Chancellor’s visit. Armenia and Germany have established diplomatic relations in January 1992. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations the Armenian side has conducted 26 official visits to Germany at the president, prime minister and foreign minister level. The Chancellor’s visit among the German officials who paid official visits to Armenia since 1995 is unprecedented. Before this, there have been visits from Germany at the Bundestag president, deputy prime minister and the federal foreign minister level. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties Armenia and Germany have signed 45 agreements in economic, educational, cultural and commercial sectors. 5 memorandums of cooperation in different areas have been signed. The trade turnover volume from Armenia to Germany in 2017 comprised 132 483.5 USD, and the import - 206 523.3USD. On June 15, 2005 the German Parliament adopted a decision on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On April 23, 2015 German President Joachim Gauck issued a statement on the Armenian Genocide, and on June 2, 2016 the Bundestag adopted a resolution on the Genocide. On the sidelines of Merkel’s visit to Armenia, Armenian-German high-level talks will be held led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Chancellor Angela Merkel. They will sum up the results of talks during a joint press conference. Angela Merkel is also scheduled to meet with President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian. The German Chancellor will visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
PM Nikol Pashinyan attends closing ceremony of Step Towards Home program
ArmenPress, Armenia Aug 24 2018 PM Nikol Pashinyan attends closing ceremony of Step Towards Home program YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the closing ceremony of Step Towards Home program in Tsaghkadzor, the PM’s Office told Armenpress. The program, which launched on August 25, was attended by nearly 400 young Diaspora-Armenians from 25 countries of the world. “The phrase “native land of my dreams” has been sounded in many songs, but the most interesting thing is that we have dreamed of a homeland both within and outside Armenia. I want to state the following: this dream is already a reality for Armenians living in Armenia, and an era has come that this dream should start to be a reality also for those Armenians living abroad, as they are called our compatriots of the Diaspora. I want that you take with you from here the seed of the return of your environment, parents and children to Armenia, the necessity to return to Armenia, the consciousness to return to Armenia, the love of returning to Armenia, the citizenship of returning to Armenia since I consider every Armenian a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, and I have an honor to apply to you as proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia. It’s time to make our precious country a reality and it’s very important that each of your families talk every day about the idea and necessity to return to Armenia. I once again want to repeat that if not your parents, at least you, if not you, at least your kids should definitely return to the homeland. The Diaspora minister said Armenia is a country to love, but I also want to add that Armenia is a country to live, it’s a country where one should live, develop, create, strengthen, enrich and to enrich with ideas, love, future and power. And I am convinced that today we further strengthen by looking at each other, seeing each other and loving each other. Therefore, long live the freedom, long live the Republic of Armenia, we and our kids who are going to live in free and happy Armenia”, the PM said in his remarks. Thereafter, he answered to numerous questions of the youth which mainly related to the establishment of justice in Armenia, the rule of law, creation of jobs and etc. Nikol Pashinyan said the equality of everyone before the law is already established in Armenia. “Today there is no one who can put himself above the law, who can think that he can have more rights than someone else. The equality of all before the law is the cornerstone of justice. The key task for us is to create conditions for the people to develop with work, have progress and reach welfare. And Armenia becomes a fairer state every day, every hour”, he added. The program participants thanked the PM for meeting with them and answering to their questions. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Armenian President: Germany is Armenia’s important partner
Arminfo, Armenia Aug 24 2018 Armenian President: Germany is Armenia's important partner Yerevan August 24 Alexander Avanesov. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in Armenia on an official visit, the press service of the Armenian President's Office informs. President Armen Sarkissian greeting the delegation headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence that this historical visit will open new horizons for the development of Armenian-German relations. This is the first official visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel to Armenia, but in the past she has been in Armenia. "I want to note with satisfaction that the Armenian-German relations are based on deep trust and mutual understanding. Germany is a very important partner for Armenia, but our cooperation gives opportunity for its expansion in various fields. And of course, I want to express my satisfaction for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Your country and for the political support in our cooperation with the EU, since the Armenian-EU relations are very important for us", President Sarkissian said. Chancellor Angela Merkel in turn expressed deep gratitude for a warm reception. "Dear Mr. Sarkissian, I am glad to be a guest in your country and I am glad for our meeting. Last year our countries marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and today we can say that our relations are positive. I agree with you that we have non-used potential in our relations, which should be used both in political-economic, and in scientific-research fields. We wish to support Armenia in implementation of the declared reforms and we closely follow the changes and developments that are to take place in spring. We are ready to cooperate in this difficult but important path", she said. During the meeting the sides referred to the Armenian-EU cooperation, as well as to the opportunities of deepening bilateral relations in different fields, including culture, education and science. To note, Germany's trade relations with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan in the first half of 2018 developed dynamically. The volume of trade with the three Transcaucasian republics grew by 17.1% to 1.2 billion euros, the Eastern Committee of the German economy reported. The trade turnover with Armenia increased most - by 4% 1 or up to 171 million euro. "Political changes that occurred in Yerevan in the spring of 2018 seem to contribute to the dynamic development of the economy," the Eastern Committee believes.
Chancellor Merkel pays tribute to memory of Armenian Genocide victims in Yerevan Memorial
ArmenPress, Armenia Aug 24 2018 Chancellor Merkel pays tribute to memory of Armenian Genocide victims in Yerevan Memorial YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on August 24, reports Armenpress. She was accompanied by acting Mayor of Yerevan Kamo Areyan and foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The German Chancellor laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. She also planted a fir tree in the Memorial Park. Angela Merkel arrived in Armenia on an official visit on August 24. On June 15, 2005 the German Parliament adopted a decision on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On April 23, 2015 German President Joachim Gauck issued a statement on the Armenian Genocide, and on June 2, 2016 the Bundestag adopted a resolution on the Genocide. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Armenian-German relations based on mutual understanding and deep trust – President Sarkissian
ArmenPress, Armenia Aug 24 2018 Armenian-German relations based on mutual understanding and deep trust – President Sarkissian YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in Armenia on a state visit, at the Presidential Palace on August 24. The delegations of both countries participated in the meeting. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian President’s Office, greeting Chancellor Angela Merkel and the German delegation, President Armen Sarkissian expressed confidence that this historical visit will open new horizons for the development of Armenian-German relations. This is the first official visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel to Armenia, but in the past she has been in Armenia. “I want to note with satisfaction that the Armenian-German relations are based on mutual understanding and deep trust. Germany is a very important partner for Armenia, but there is much room for expanding our cooperation in different spheres. And of course, I want to express my satisfaction for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Germany and also for the political support that we feel in our cooperation with the EU, since the Armenian-EU relations are very important for us”, President Sarkissian said. Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed satisfaction and gratitude for being hosted in Armenia. “Dear Mr. Sarkissian, I am glad to be hosted in your country and I am glad for our meeting. Last year our countries marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and today we can summarize our relations as positive. I agree with you that we have unutilized potential in our relations and it should be used not only in political or economic spheres, but also in research and technological spheres. We wish to make our contribution to the reforms declared by Armenia and we attentively followed the changes and processes that took place in your country in spring. We are ready to cooperate in this difficult but important moment”, she said. During the meeting the sides referred to the Armenian-EU cooperation, as well as to the opportunities of deepening bilateral relations in different spheres, including culture, education and science. Translated and edited by Tigran Sirekanyan
High Level Pashinyan-Merkel talks take place in Yerevan
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
Azerbaijani Press: At the crossways: CSTO or NATO?
Turan news agency, Azerbaijani Opposition Press
Aug 18 2018
At the crossways: CSTO or NATO?
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Turan]
From time to time, discussions break out within society, political elite, and the community of pundits and analysts about Azerbaijan’s landmark choice of the military and political block to join to ensure the country’s security and geopolitical stability to the full. To a certain extent, these discussions resemble speculations and bargaining aimed to manoeuvre between “stick and carrot”, the [Russian-led] CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organisation] and Nato, as Azerbaijan is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, which demands that its members forego joining military and political blocks. One might raise an objection, [saying] that Belarus, which is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, is a member of the CSTO. However, this example is rather an exception from the rule. At present, people seem to have quite forgotten that not only Azerbaijan, but also Georgia (!) was a member of the CSTO.
In May 1992, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan signed in Tashkent a collective security treaty (CST). Azerbaijan signed the treaty on 24 September 1993. Georgia signed it on 9 September 1993 and Belarus signed it on 31 December 1993. The treaty came into force on 20 April 1994 and it was meant to last for five years, allowing extension. On 2 April 1999, presidents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan signed a protocol on prolonging the time of operation of the treaty for the following 5-year period. However, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan refused to prolong the treaty.
Pros and cons of joining a military block
At different times, supporters and opponents of one or the other block put forward numerous arguments for and against. In 2008, it was said that Azerbaijani armaments were Soviet-designed and that joining the CSTO, it would be possible to make the same procurements at lower prices; apart from this, Russia’s policy regarding [Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-]Karabakh was expected to change, but Armenia and Azerbaijan could not officially be at war; in the case of a military conflict, Armenia could not count on the CSTO’s help; and lastly, regional security would increase. It should be taken into consideration that Armenia, which is intertwined with Russia, enjoys the benefits of cooperation with Nato and the EU. An emphasis was also placed on Azerbaijan’s closeness to Russia in economic and political terms. It was emphasised that joining the CSTO was not going to create any problems, as Russia wanted to have an ally of the kind in the Caucasus to prevent Nato expansion in the region. Forecasts were made that joining the CSTO, we would tie Armenia’s hands, beginning a new stage of talks from better positions. This is why this choice is better than today’s military neutrality.
The arguments presented by those opposed to the CSTO are as follows: Sooner or later, Azerbaijan will switch to more sophisticated Western armaments, striving to achieve Nato standards; Russia’s pro-Armenian policy will become neutral at the best and Baku will finally lose the opportunity to regain occupied territories under military duress; if necessary, the CSTO (to be read as Russia) might demand that military bases be set up on Azerbaijan’s territory. (The constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan says that military bases of foreign countries cannot be stationed on the territory of Azerbaijan.) Joining the CSTO, Azerbaijan will lose the opportunity to pursue the policy of manoeuvring between the West and the Russian Federation.
Is it right to compare Nato with its history and traditions with a marginalised organisation such as the CSTO, which effectively has no development prospects?! Joining the CSTO, Azerbaijan will not only change the vector of development and [upset] the existing balance, but it will also face the danger of revision of a number of ongoing and planned transport, communications, and energy projects related with the West. Therefore, even if Azerbaijan takes a fancy for the CSTO, it will not be able to join it.
Cooling in relations with Turkey, which is the only ally, will become yet another danger posed.
Russia’s position regarding Karabakh will change only after it realises that it has completely hooked Azerbaijan, which will replace Armenia as its foothold in the South Caucasus.
Nevertheless, given the experience of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, Azerbaijan’s joining Nato is suicidal. Azerbaijan needs to set up its own alliance: Turkey-Azerbaijan-Israel.
Azerbaijan is facing no danger as long as it steers clear of any military blocks. Therefore, it is foolish to forgo the position.
Other opinions were also voiced. More often than not, they were unexpected. Until the Karabakh conflict is settled, Azerbaijan should not join Nato or the CSTO. Becoming a member of a military block, Baku will automatically recognise the military block’s control over its military forces. It is clear that providing security guarantees, leading superpowers of the military block demand that members of the block coordinate their military and foreign polices with it in exchange.
By and large, Iran and Russia have no particular interest in Azerbaijan proper. What they need is the Moscow-Baku-Tehran road. The West will feel anger, failing to realise that we cannot speak with Russia or Iran from the position of strength and threats of blockades. If the West needs this, let it settle the problem by itself. We should remember the fate [former Georgian President Mikheil] Saakashvili faced. In the case of Azerbaijan, the more global communications run across the country, the more convenient the blackmailer’s position becomes. It is possible to turn Naxcivan into a free economic zone for trade between Georgia and Russia, Iran and the West, and Turkey and Armenia under Baku’s control.
We should listen to the advice from neighbouring Georgia: “I am from Georgia and I have no right to participate in the opinion poll, but let me express my opinion:
“Azerbaijan is living a peaceful life, because it pursues a neutral policy. As for Georgia, it is rushing to the West and Nato. Azerbaijan is helping us (gas, political support) and there is enough [of both]. If you now try to infract neutrality, trying to join Nato, provocations will begin in Karabakh [to be followed by] artillery attacks on Azerbaijani settlements; planes cruising out of nowhere will bomb your towns; Lezgians will show a desire to reunite with their historic motherland [in Russia’s North Caucasus]; the Talysh (or someone else) will begin to stir; the Armenian Army will mount an attack, demanding that “Bakurakert [Baku]” be returned, and Russia will carry out a ‘peacekeeping’ mission.
“If you try to join the CSTO, you will see orange roses in Baku. Therefore, enjoy your peaceful life by now. We will join Nato and then your turn will come. It will be easier for you to join Nato. We will help you,” [the person said].
Let us continue [considering] the arguments of those opposed to the CSTO. If Azerbaijan joins the CSTO, Russia may very well return us five districts (without Lacin and Kalbacar and without Nagorno-Karabakh, of course) to award the choice and improve its own image. It may help us to sign with Armenia a peace agreement or an interim peace agreement, to be more precise. In exchange, we will lose Karabakh forever; we will have to sell all gas pipelines to Russia and increase oil transportation along the whole northern route. In a word, we will depend on Russia’s whims not only politically, but also economically.
If we decide on Nato and the West, at the initial stage, we will quite possibly experience pressure on Russia’s part; we might face deportation of our fellow-countrymen from Russia; there might be provocations in the regions adjacent to the Armenian border and local battles in Karabakh, which will possibly turn into a war. Russia might increase the issuance of Russian passports (the process has already begun) in the north of our country, repeating the Georgian scenario at any time. However, if our leadership and the whole nation manage to withstand Russia’s pressure, we will afterwards return our territories, becoming stronger with a better trained army and becoming the West’s powerful lever for bringing Armenia over to the Western course to finally oust Russia from our region. We will receive economic benefits, support, investments, and practical help in the reforms to be carried out.
Objections: The danger of the situation is that we can no longer be a neutral country, pursuing a “balanced” policy. The main obstacle to our authorities when [thinking whether] to decide on the West is that pro-Western course requires reforms. And this is what [they find] unacceptable! Therefore, I fear that our “ship” will head to the North…
Baku joined the Non-Aligned Movement back in 2011. Correspondingly, talk about membership of the CSTO is doubtful. Baku has always been consistent in avoiding participation in any military and political alliances. So far, no military alliance has effectively been formed between Azerbaijan and the “elder brother” – Turkey. What is the point of joining the CSTO for Azerbaijan, which is rich in oil, has a lot of money and is developing close military and technical cooperation with Israel, Pakistan, and Turkey?
When relations with the West deteriorate, populist statements by official persons and MPs are on the increase: “To settle the Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan needs to normalise relations with Russia. The West and Nato anyway show no support for Azerbaijan in the issue (MP Qudrat Hasanquliyev, 26 November 2009) Azerbaijan can join the CSTO, stationing Russian military bases in exchange for the return of Nagorno Karabakh“.
Another MP, Aydin Mirzazada, believes that official Baku can join the CSTO only under one condition: “The CSTO should condemn Armenia’s expansionist policy against Azerbaijan. It should demand that Armenia withdraw all troops from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. Afterwards, Azerbaijan will be able to cooperate with the organisation in different directions. I do not think that Azerbaijan should necessarily join some block, taking part in implementing its strategy. However, along with this, it is now possible to cooperate with the CSTO in a number of spheres. However, as long as Armenia is a full-fledged member of the organisation and the organisation has not made an assessment of Armenia’s expansionist policy, cooperation with the CSTO is ruled out in any sphere.”
The condition, which was laid down, once again implies for Russia that taking Azerbaijan’s side in the Karabakh conflict, Russia will gain a lot in exchange.
Presidential advisor Ali Hasanov: “Azerbaijan would have joined the CSTO long ago, had there been…
Meanwhile, on 14 April 2017, a representative of Armenia, Yuri Khachaturov, became a new secretary general of the CSTO.
A short while ago, statements about the need in Azerbaijan’s joining the CSTO to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were again made in the Milli Maclis [Parliament]…
Sports: Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to reinvent himself at Arsenal and become ‘someone new’
The Independent (United Kingdom)
Friday 1:08 PM GMT
Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to reinvent himself at Arsenal and become ‘someone new’
‘I don’t want to see the old Mkhitaryan being here at Arsenal. I want to be someone new’
by Samuel Lovett
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has said he doesn’t want “to see the old Mkhitaryan” at Arsenal as he attempts to become “someone new”.
Since joining from Manchester United in January, Mkhitaryan has flashed hot and cold for the north London club.
Merkel dances around the term ‘genocide’ at memorial in Armenia
Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Germany
Friday 5:20 PM EST
Merkel dances around the term ‘genocide’ at memorial in Armenia
Yerevan
DPA POLITICS Armenia diplomacy Germany Merkel dances around
the term ‘genocide’ at memorial in Armenia Yerevan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday paid her
respects at a memorial to those killed in the Armenian genocide
without using the term “genocide” – a point of tension with Turkey.
She planted a tree at the Tsitsernakaberd memorial in the Armenian
capital, Yerevan, “in the spirit of the 2016 resolution of the
Bundestag.”
Although the German government’s resolution was not a legal one, the
decision caused massive protests in Turkey, which strongly rejects
terming the the mass killing of Armenians during World War I at the
hands of the Ottoman Empire a genocide.
Merkel was in Armenia on Friday as part of a three-day tour of the
region that started Thursday in Georgia and ends in Azerbaijan.
During her visit to Yerevan, she also underscored her support for
closer cooperation on migration with Armenia, saying Berlin would
consider liberalizing visa requirements depending on how the country
makes progress on the question of asylum and the migration question.
“The prospect is there, but we still have a ways to go,” she said.
Armenia’s new prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, said at a joint press
conference with Merkel that emigration could be stopped as the nation
becomes more democratic, and that Armenians would return to the
homeland.
Merkel also voiced support for a political solution to the conflict
between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.