German-Armenian ties were strengthened in 2010, Christoph Breunig, Deputy Ambassador of Germany in Armenia, told NEWS.am. The states are closely cooperating in water management, energy, budget, legal and environmental protection areas, he said.
The German organizations GTZ and KfW continued financing target
cooperation programs. The DAAT, Goethe-Institut and ZfA provide support
for university education. Specifically, in cooperation Rostock
University, they support the master’s courses at the IT Department of
Yerevan State University degree and a new scholarship program. In this
context, he pointed out the assistance in organizing numerous cultural
events: movie shows, language courses, dissemination of the German
language by establishing partnership with schools. Last year was marked by effective social
and charity activities of local and foreign organizations. Specifically,
Yeghegnadzor University affords ample opportunities to receive
education without leaving the regional center.
Also, such foreign organizations as Caritas and Renovabis, as well as
the German Red Cross, which, supported by the German Government,
continue providing aid to the needy and assisting the social integration
of people with disabilities. The opening of the Elbat works in Yerevan
was a happy event, which enabled the Chronimet Company to expand its
investment activities. It is a positive example of investments for other
German companies.
Mr. Christoph Breunig hopes for progress in Armenian-Turkish
recognciliation in 2011, due to diplomacy and political will. Also,
Germany hopes the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process will go on within the
OSCE Minsk Group and bring the moment of concessions nearer. Germany
also hopes for further development of civil society in Armenia – with
more active political involvement. The new law on rallies, as well as
better conditions for mass media, is an obligatory precondition for
civil society’s involvement in important social processes, Christoph
Breunig said.
In 2011, within the limits of the possible, Germany will provide
further support for the Armenia-EU negotiations on an association
agreement. Armenia’s readiness to exert more efforts to pursue a policy
aimed at forming a system of competitive market economy. Also, Armenia
and Germany have to develop military security cooperation. An example is
Armenia’s intention to increase the number of its servicemen in
Afghanistan under the ISAF German command.
Mr. Christoph Breunig will see the New Year in with his friends in Armenia.
He wished all the Armenians a happy New Year and Merry Christmas. The
German diplomat hopes his country will be able to assist Armenia’s
socio-economic and political progress
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