Armenian premier, German Chancellor sign joint declaration on  bilateral cooperation strategic agenda 

ArmInfo.  Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz signed a joint declaration  on the strategic agenda of bilateral partnership between the Republic  of Armenia and the Federal Republic of Germany following the results  of the meeting.

The declaration, in particular, states:

"The Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Armenia  (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) recognize the long-standing  and friendly relations established between the Parties. They confirm  their mutual desire to deepen bilateral partnership and cooperation,  as well as recognize the trust in each other and the coincidence of  interests in various fields. Acknowledge their mutual commitment to  protecting and promoting freedom of expression, democracy, human  rights, the rule of law and the rules-based international order,  including respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial  integrity of every state, the Parties reaffirm their shared  commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, goals and principles  of the Helsinki Final Act and other international legal instruments  promoting peace and security.

The Parties recall the framework established by the EU-Republic of  Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as  well as the priorities set out in the Strategic Agenda for the RA-EU  Partnership. They note with satisfaction the Republic of Armenia's  aspiration to further strengthen its ties with the European Union and  the wider community of democratic states, as well as the importance  of the established formats and initiatives for bilateral political  dialogue, development cooperation, security assistance, joint efforts  in combating cyber threats and disinformation, as well as economic,  cultural and scientific cooperation.

The Parties share the positive assessment of the initialling of the  Agreement "On the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations  between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan" and  welcome the recent developments in the normalisation of bilateral  relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Parties agree that the  full normalisation of these relations, as well as those between  Armenia and Turkiye, creates opportunities for a peaceful and  prosperous South Caucasus region.

The Parties reached understanding in the following:

1. The Parties intend to cooperate in the following areas, but are  not limited to:

a. Political and diplomatic cooperation: regular consultations  between ministries, agencies and diplomatic missions, high-level  visits and thematic dialogues.

b. Economic and trade cooperation: promotion of bilateral trade and  investment opportunities, cooperation in the field of biodiversity,  including in the context of the COP17 to be held in Yerevan, energy,  connectivity and infrastructure, technology and transport, as well as  tourism development.

c. Development and capacity building: continued cooperation,  including through technical and financial assistance programmes and  training initiatives, in areas such as sustainable economic  development, vocational training, renewable energy and energy  efficiency, climate and environmental protection, biodiversity and  nature conservation, water resources management, good governance and  municipal development, justice and constitutional reform, 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 programmes that promote mutual  understanding, including in the field of youth and sport.  e.  Science, technology and innovation: joint research projects,  cooperation in the field of digital transformation, emerging  technologies and innovation ecosystems.

f. Security and defence: dialogue on regional and global security  issues, including nuclear security, cybersecurity, countering  disinformation, cooperation on security sector reform and actions  related to the UN Resolution on Women, Peace and Security, exchange  of information and best practices in areas of mutual interest.

2. This Declaration is not an international treaty and therefore does  not create rights and obligations under domestic or international  law. Implementation of actions under this Declaration will depend on  the availability of resources and the relevant laws and regulations  of the Parties. The Parties may define and mutually determine  additional areas of cooperation. This Joint Declaration may be  amended at any time by mutual written consent of both Parties. Either  Party may terminate the cooperation envisaged in this Joint  Declaration at any time. It shall notify the other Party in writing  of its intention to terminate the cooperation at least six months in  advance''.