Armenia’s Government intends to undertake ambitious reforms. Its ongoing fight against corruption as well as its efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and create better economic conditions are starting to bear fruit.

As a close partner of Armenia, Germany supports the country’s modernisation course. We hope that democratic progress will not now be recklessly put at risk by internal political controversy. With regard to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, we expect the Armenian Government’s constructive words to be followed by genuine and serious efforts.

I am very much looking forward to my first visit to Armenia, a key participant in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership. I am especially keen to visit the famous TUMO Center – particularly as just such a high-tech learning centre for young people will open in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin this autumn.