On October 18 the members of Germany-South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group of Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany were in the National Assembly.

During the meeting with the Standing Committee on European Integration of the National Assembly, where the ambassadors of the two countries were present, the Chairman of the Committee Mr. Avet Adonts expressed confidence, that the visit will be mutually productive and will promote the development of the cooperation. It was noted that after 2003 the political dialogue between the two countries became more active, in the result of which the trade and economic relations have been developed, the investments have increased. The integration into Europe, being the priority of the foreign policy of Armenia, also became an internal political priority as the basic logic of the reforms in Armenia is directed to complying with European standards. The reforms are the basic resources of the development of Armenia, and the marked economic two-digit growth is the result of the carried out reforms. The continuity and efficiency of the reforms was stressed.

Mr. Steffen Reiche, head of the Germany-South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group noted that the newly formed group is the largest what is the proof of the growing interest of Germany towards the region. Presenting the members of the group, Mr. Reiche said that Armenia is well known to many of them, and they have actively participated in the issue of the recognition of the Genocide of Armenians by Bundestag. It was noted that soon a EU summit would take place in Lisbon, where a programme of reforms is envisaged to be adopted which will put the New Neighbourhood policy on practical bases and will develop it.

The sides expressed readiness for the development of inter-parliamentary ties, and other issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

The members of Germany-South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Federal Republic of Germany met with the representatives of the factions of RPA, PAP and ARF of the National Assembly. At the guests’ request Mr. Samvel Nikoyan, secretary of the RPA faction, Mr. Aram Safaryan, secretary of the PAP faction and Mr. Artsvik Minasyan, member of the ARF faction presented the main programme provisions of their factions, positions related to NKR issue, introduced the structure, activity, correlation of the political forces in the National Assembly.

They noted that the programme provisions of their parties on the European direction of the development of the country are the most important components of the foreign policy of Armenia, and the issues of the NKR, to their belief, should be solved through peaceful negotiations, within the framework of the right on the self-determination of the nations and the right of living free and independent.

The head of the delegation Mr. Steffen Reiche noted, that Germany wishes to see the countries of the region economically and politically stable, full of determination to regional cooperation and peaceful co-existence and is ready to bring his contribution in the development of those countries.

Both sides expressed confidence for the necessity of the development of inter-parliamentary ties and strengthening them by their practical steps.

The members of Germany South Caucasus Parliamentary friendship Group of the Federal Republic of Germany met with the representatives of the Heritage faction.

At the guests’ request Mr. S. Safaryan touched upon the mutual relations of the political forces of the parliament. Ms. Zaruhi Postanjyan presented the German colleagues the legislative activity of the faction.

The sides emphasized the importance of the inter-parliamentary cooperation and expressed readiness for deepening it.

The members of Germany-South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Federal Republic of Germany met with the representatives of the faction Country of Law. At the guests’ request Mr. Mher Shahgeldyan presented the political and legislative activity of the party. He highlighted the holding of the presidential elections with free, equal competitive conditions, the availability of the mass media for the oppositional political forces and provision of their independence.