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On March 12 the Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan, the Deputy Chairman Alexander Arzumanyan and the member of the Committee Mher Shahgeldyan met with the deputies of Bundestag of Germany, the Co-Chair of the German Green Party Cem Özdemir and the deputy of the same party Mrs Deligöz. Before the meeting the deputies of Bundestag accompanied by Artak Zakaryan visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, laid a wreath at the memorial eternalizing the memory of the 1915 Armenian Genocide victims, in silence and bowing paid respects to the memory of one and a half million innocent victims.

Welcoming the guests in the parliament Artak Zakaryan has noted that the Committee has partnership relations with the deputies of Bundestag and has expressed conviction that similar visits promote the development of the Armenian-German relations, particularly the rapprochement of the inter-parliamentary relations.

Speaking about the events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial, Artak Zakatyan has mentioned that we also expect the participation of the authoritative delegation of Bundestag in the memorial and commemoration ceremonies.

Touching upon the regional problems the Chairman of the Standing Committee has noted that Armenia highlights the strengthening of peace and stability in the region. Presenting the RA efforts aimed at the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, Artak Zakaryan has underlined that Armenia has always carried out constructive initiatives, has remained adherent to the spirit of protocols signed in Zurich, meanwhile Turkey has continued to further preconditions, which has been inadmissible for Armenia from the beginning.

During the meeting Alexander Arzumanyan and Mher Shahgeldyan presented their views on the issues of activation of the Armenian-German cooperation, the further partnership with the European Union, the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and opening of borders and the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh problem.

Thanking for the warm reception the deputies of Bundestag have expressed readiness to contribute to the development of the Armenian-German relations, as well as to support the Armenian counterparts for the effective solution of the debated issues. Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations, the German MPs have opined that the normalization of the bilateral relations and the opening of borders stem from the interests of Armenia and Turkey. The representatives of Bundestag have noted that the NK problem should have peaceful settlement and only within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. And Turkey should not put in contradiction the Armenian-Turkish and Karabakh problems. Highlighting the recognition of Genocide, they have mentioned that they will actively participate in the debates designed on Genocide in Bundestag in April.

Artak Zakaryan has expressed hope that in Bundestag they fully perceive for the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, as first of all, it is necessary to prevent the crimes committed against humanity.

The interlocutors have agreed to activate the contacts between the deputies of the Green Party and the Armenian parliamentarians in future.