“Your contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is great”: President Armen Sarkissian hosted the former President of Germany

President Armen Sarkissian received today the former President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck. Present at the meeting was also His Holiness Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

Welcoming Joachim Gauck, President Sarkissian in particular thanked him for his humanitarian activities and hailed his considerable contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The President reminded that the entire Armenian nation accepted with gratitude President Joachim Gauck’s statement at the Berlin’s Main Cathedral during the ecumenical liturgy held on the occasion of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Noting that Armenia and Germany have a long history of friendship and cooperation, President Armen Sarkissian said that Germany and German companies may view Armenia as a gateway to the Eurasian Economic Union. He underscored wide opportunities for cooperation especially in the areas of culture, science, and technologies. “I would like to see large German international companies cooperating with Armenia in the areas of IT, artificial intelligence, mathematics,” the President said.

Speaking about the opportunities for cultural cooperation, President Sarkissian said, “From the viewpoint of culture, I believe we might cooperate in the framework of our Presidential initiatives, presenting cultures of different countries at the Presidential Palace where visitors can observe not only the Presidential Palace but also familiarize with the history and culture of various nations.”

In his turn the former President of Germany noted, “I am very happy about the fact that in this region in your person I meet a president who is coming from the scientific circles. I am honored to be here today. I have heard that my speech at the Berlin’s Main Cathedral dedicated to the Armenian Genocide was followed in Armenia with great attention, and I am grateful that now not from a distance but firsthand I can familiarize with your country, the people, and culture.”

In a cordial and warm atmosphere of the meeting the parties exchanged views on the prospects of Armenia’s development, Armenian-German relations, and issues related to the Armenia-EU cooperation.