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On March 18, the RA NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov received the Head of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung/Foundation (KAS) Regional Program, Political Dialogue South Caucasus Office Thomas Schrapel and the Scientific Associate of the KAS Regional Program Office Florian Feyerabend.

Welcoming the guests, Eduard Sharmazanov has assessed the activities of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Armenia and has noted that it is especially important in terms of the development of democracy, and Armenia is concerned about deepening the relations with it. The NA Vice President has stated that though the work done is noticeable, nevertheless there is possibility to expand it, including also the marzes of Armenia in the programs of the KAS, and Thomas Schrapel also was positive about it. The NA Vice President has informed the guest about the reforms going on in Armenia and considered instructive in that issue the experience of the KAS during these years. Highlighting the programs of the Foundation, the NA Vice President has expressed confidence that the appointment of the new Head will be an impetus for the implementation of the new and effective programs.

Touching upon the NK problem, Eduard Sharmazanov has noted that Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh see the settlement of the problem exclusively through peaceful means based on the right to the peoples’ self-determination, unlike bellicose Azerbaijan. In the NA Vice President’s word, the bellicose work style of Azerbaijan is condemnable, and it has no connection with democracy. The witness of it is the servicemen, who died during the last two days.

The Head of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung/Foundation (KAS) Regional Program, Political Dialogue South Caucasus Office Thomas Schrapel thanked the NA Vice President Eduard Sharmazanov for the warm reception and assured him that the Foundation will carry on to implement the ongoing and new programs in Armenia. In his word, the reforms which are underway in Armenia are very important especially in terms of the development of democracy. He has informed the NA Vice President that the German MPs are interested in Armenia and a number of spheres, hence this year they are going to visit Armenia. Presenting the designed programs, he has noted that the KAS especially emphasizes the cooperation with the young people, and especially with the young politicians, and is ready to hear their proposals.

Talking about the priorities of the RA foreign policy, the interlocutors have agreed that though in the economic sphere Armenia has chosen the EEC, it is not an obstacle for developing the RA-EU political cooperation, which will further develop the democracy in Armenia.

The NA Vice President expressed readiness to support the implementation of the KAS programs as much as possible.