H. Y. Schmidt “Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and Karabakh conflict regulation must be viewed separately”

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS: German ambassador to Armenia Hans Yochen Schmidt spoke in an interview with Armenpress about the current level of the Armenian-German relations, position of Germany toward the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

- Mr. Ambassador how do you assess the Armenian-German cooperation, are you satisfied with its current level?

- First of all I highly assess Armenia’s involvement in the “ISAF” mission in collaboration with Germany ensuring the security of strategically important Kunduz airport. By the way, the German side within the framework of NATO has assumed prior responsibility for ensuring security in the north of Afghanistan. Armenia’s involvement in the process is the sign and proof of the responsibility, Armenia displays with its participation in the peacekeeping missions of international importance. Naturally, it is not an easy task, especially taking into consideration that in the recent two years the situation in the north of Afghanistan has not improved and just the opposite, worsened. As to the cooperation in the sphere of economy, I hope that both in direct and mediatory ways, for instance, through the European Bank, it will develop. The head of the bank is German and I hope he will visit Armenia this year and with the German support this establishment will boost its cooperation with Armenia, continuatively increasing the volume of assistance. Germany has a resolute role in the EU too, which on its turn is also highlighted in this pre-context. In further cooperation I also see prospects particularly in the mining sphere, in spite of a number of difficulties caused by the crisis and reduction of prices for metals, for instance molybdenum. Speaking about the sphere of education and science, we must remember the visit of the Armenian Education and Science Minister to Germany which was aimed at activation and boosting of cooperation between the universities of the two countries. Today many Armenian students manage to get German scholarships and participate in the German and international programs. These processes must continue.

- What did the past year give? What developments have been registered in the Armenian-German relations and what issues exist now?

- Currently I may say that there is no serious issue in the Armenian-German relations. Our relations have prospects for development. I hope that the cooperation between the parliaments of our two countries will deepen. It will get new accentuation particularly after the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Turkey must understand that by their ratification it will strengthen more its role in Caucasus and the relations with the EU will improve. And the positive thing for Armenia will be the lifting of the blockade, expansion of transport routes, trade, etc. Thus, Armenia’s potential which is necessary for the development of cooperation will be used more effectively.

- Mr. Ambassador what do you think when Germany will finally recognize the Armenian Genocide? Can we consider that the special resolution about the Genocide adopted by the German Bundestag is the first step toward final, complete recognition?

- Yes, as you know the German parliament adopted a resolution which today is accepted as a basis. It describes what happened in 1915 and with that resolution the German government strictly criticizes the criminals of those years. Though the word genocide is not used in the resolution, we consider that what happened during that period is awful. It is difficult for me to predict whether it is the first step toward the final recognition, but I can say that the adoption of this resolution by the government is an important step to emphasize the criticism we have of what happened during that time. Recently an Armenian described the resolution as “having prospect” meaning that while clarifying their positions over the Genocide a number of European countries take into consideration this resolution.

- Do you consider it right that often the Turkish side ties the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations with the normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani ones?

- The formation of the Armenian-Turkish protocols is the first step toward the improvement of the relations between the two countries. It must continue: the two countries assumed such commitment. Whether the above mentioned issues must be viewed in the same context or not is the issue of political analysts, but I will agree with those who think that the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and Karabakh conflict regulation must be viewed separately. The Russian side too pointed out it on behalf of the country’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The urgent issue of normalization of relations must not be “burdened” by other issues.