News - A joint declaration on the strategic agenda between Armenia and Germany has been signed.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of the Republic of Armenia and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed a joint declaration on the bilateral partnership's strategic agenda as a result of their meeting, according to the government press service. In the declaration, in particular, it states that the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) recognize the long-standing and amicable relations formed between them. They affirm their mutual desire to deepen bilateral partnership and cooperation, and acknowledge mutual trust and convergence of interests in various areas. Referring to the mutual commitment to defend and promote freedom of expression, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a rules-based international order, including respect for each state's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, the Parties reaffirm their joint commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, and other international instruments that promote peace and security. The Parties refer to the framework established by the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as well as the priorities set forth in the Armenia-EU Partnership Strategy. They express satisfaction at strengthening their ties with the broader community of the European Union and democratic states, as well as the importance of established formats and initiatives for bilateral political dialogue, development cooperation, security-sector support, countering cyber threats and misinformation, and for economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation that have been established. The Parties share a positive assessment of the pre-signature of the agreement on peaceful settlement of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and welcome the latest developments toward resolving bilateral relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Parties agree that resolving these relations, as well as the full normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, creates opportunities for a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus region. The Parties have reached the following understandings: The Parties intend to cooperate in the following areas, not limited to them, but in particular: a) Political and diplomatic cooperation: regular consultations between ministries, agencies and diplomatic missions; high-level visits and thematic dialogues. b) Economic and trade cooperation: promoting bilateral trade and investment opportunities; biodiversity cooperation, including within the framework of COP17 to be held in Yerevan; energy, connectivity and infrastructure; technology and transport; as well as tourism development. c) Development and capacity building: ongoing cooperation through technical and financial assistance programs and training initiatives in areas such as sustainable economic development, professional education, renewable energy and energy efficiency, climate and environmental protection, biodiversity and nature conservation, water resource management, good governance and municipal development, justice and constitutional reforms, promotion of the rule of law, joint projects aimed at socio-economic development. d) Culture, education, language and people-to-people exchanges: academic partnerships and research cooperation, scholarships, sister cities, cultural exchange events and programs that promote mutual understanding, including in youth and sport. e) Science, technology and innovation: joint research projects, cooperation in digital transformation, developing technologies and innovative ecosystems. f) Security and defense: dialogue on regional and global security issues, including nuclear security, cybersecurity, countering misinformation, cooperation in security-sector reforms and actions related to the UN's Women, Peace and Security framework, exchange of information and best practices in areas of mutual interest. This declaration is not an international treaty and therefore does not create rights or obligations under national or international law. Implementation of actions under this declaration will depend on the availability of resources and the Parties' applicable laws and regulations. The Parties may define and mutually determine additional areas of cooperation. This joint declaration may be amended at any time by mutual written agreement of the two Parties. Each Party may suspend cooperation under this joint declaration at any time; it must inform the other Party in writing of its intention to suspend cooperation at least six months in advance.