President received delegation headed by the Vice-President of the Bundestag Johannes Singhanmer

President Serzh Sargsyan received today delegation headed by the Vice-President of the Bundestag Johannes Singhammer which comprises also the representatives of the Cardinal Hoffner Union.

At the beginning of the meeting President Sargsyan congratulated the guests on the occasion of Germany’s National Holiday – German Unity Day and wished the friendly people of Germany peace and greater prosperity.

From the viewpoint of strengthening the bilateral Armenian-German relations, the President of Armenia stressed the importance of high-level reciprocal visits. The President recalled with pleasure his April visit to Germany and the meetings with the highest leadership of the country which were conducted in the atmosphere of understanding and sincerity. Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that the visit of the delegation headed by Mr. Singhammer to the First Christian Nation will be efficient and full of unforgettable impressions, which will give a greater resolve to the efforts aimed at the further deepening of the bilateral relations.

Concurring that the relations between Armenia and Germany are based on mutual respect and trust the interlocutors stressed in the strengthening and deepening of these relations the increased role of the interparliamentary cooperation. The President of Armenia noted with satisfaction that in recent time parliamentarians of the Bundestag along with Armenia are visiting also the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh to learn first-hand the essence of the NK issue.

Serzh Sargsyan highly valued the stance of Germany in the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide which was reflected in the adoption by the highest legislative body of the country of the resolution on the recognition and condemnation of the Genocide.
The parties spoke also about the Armenia-EU cooperation. The President of Armenia underscored that considering Germany’s weight in the EU structures the Armenian-German cooperation is important for Armenia also in the context of our relations with the European Union. He expressed gratitude for the assistance provided to our country in the framework of the Eastern Partnership Program.

The parties stressed the importance of the special role of the scientific, educational and cultural cooperation in the interstate relations. The President highly valued financial and technical assistance provided by the German government for years and aimed at the social and economic development of Armenia.

On behalf of his delegation, the Vice-President of the Bundestag Johannes Singhammer thanked the President for the reception and underscored that despite the fact that Armenia and Germany do not have a common border, they share the same values. According to Mr. Singhammer, the Germans have special feelings towards the world’s first Christian nation and the Genocide resolution, which states the historical truth, is aimed at achieving peace since, in his opinion, truth is an important prerequisite for reaching peace.

At the meeting, the parties spoke also about the pressing international issues and challenges threatening the peace.

The member of the Parliament Christian Hazen handed to the President of Armenia one of the 29 bronze doves molded in 2008 in accordance with the UN Human Rights provisions. The dove is handed to the political and state figures who are striving for peace and particularly for the religious freedom.