By signing the joint declaration on the strategic agenda, we have laid the foundation for a further intensification of our relations. It is not only a written record of our accomplishments, but also a compass for the future.

Claudia Busch, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia, said in an interview with Armenpress, while addressing the current level of Armenia–Germany relations, their development prospects, developments in the South Caucasus, Berlin's positions on them, and a number of other issues.

Addressing the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the ambassador noted that it is now crucial for both sides to continue taking the remaining steps together peacefully, and that the outstanding issues can be resolved amicably.

She emphasized that, for the first time in decades, lasting peace is within reach, adding that Germany will continue to support both sides on this path toward its implementation.

- Mrs. Ambassador, how would you assess the current political level of relations between Armenia and Germany and what important aspects would you highlight in this regard?

-Indeed, it is the right time, at the beginning of the new year, to reflect on last year’s achievements and our expectations for 2026. I am very pleased to see that our two countries have deepened their relationship profoundly in recent months - on a political level, but also in other strategic fields like economic development, culture - and not to forget the people-to-people contacts.

In 2025, we witnessed a historic first visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Armenia in March and the successful visit of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Berlin and Hamburg in December. In addition to these two important recent highlights in our bilateral relations, I have seen a growing interest on both sides for a deeper cooperation in areas such as public administration, and justice reform, energy security and transformation, linking education and business’ needs for specialized workforce, promoting German culture, language skills and studying in Germany.

Our cooperation with the Armenian government and its institutions, but also with Members of Parliament and civil society is based on trust and mutual respect. Commitment and good spirit enable progress and perspectives. For me, it remains important that our joint efforts to deepen our bilateral relations meet Armenia’s needs and have a direct positive impact on peoples’ lives in Armenia.

-The relations between Armenia and Germany have developed significantly, in this regard, the visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Germany in December last year stands out, which can be called historic in its results. The signing of a joint declaration on the strategic agenda of bilateral partnership was particularly noteworthy, which will give new impetus to the relations between the two states. The two leaders also agreed to develop cooperation in various fields. Taking all this into account, how would you assess and describe this historical visit and the relations between the two countries in several areas?

- By signing that joint declaration on the strategic agenda, we have laid the foundation for a further intensification of our relations. It is not only a written record of our accomplishments, but also a compass for the future. Our two countries are working closely together in all areas, and our political consultations in Berlin this week has confirmed specific steps for 2026.

The Prime Minister’s program in Berlin and Hamburg also underlined Germany’s interest in Armenian affairs, be it in the field of politics, trade and innovations or culture. For example, when the Prime Minister met with representatives of the German economy at the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations in Berlin, there was a very focused discussion about the necessary framework for potential future investments and signs of interests in the area of logistics, water management, renewable energy and others.

Meanwhile, many things are already happening on the ground: This month, the cultural year between the cities of Leipzig and Yerevan has started with the exhibition “The Spirit of Past Future”, organized in collaboration between “Techne Sphere” Leipzig, the Goethe-Institute, and the city of Leipzig, presenting works by the Leipzig artist Margret Hoppe as well as the Armenian artist Nvard Yerkanyan. Both cities will organize various events during the year, so stay tuned.

In general, we have seen a continuous increase in official and private visits between our nations, which is a very promising development for the months ahead. I am very grateful to my team which has worked tirelessly to adjust procedures and to achieve higher efficiency regarding waiting times for submitting Schengen visa applications. Therefore, rest assured that the Embassy takes any possible effort that in 2026, our Armenian customers travelling to Germany for family visits, tourism or business will be able to submit visa applications to our exclusive Armenian service provider TLS contact– a cooperation which we started in July 2025 with very positive results - without larger delays.

-Economic relations and cooperation between Armenia and Germany: How would you assess the economic ties between the two countries? What was the volume of trade between them last year (2025)? What trends are observed in the bilateral export and import markets?

-Our economic ties are strong, and we work to make them even stronger. Germany is Armenia’s most important trading partner within the EU. In 2024, bilateral trade reached €554 million. The finale figures for 2025 are not yet available. But in the first 10 months of 2025, Armenian exports to Germany increased by 80%. This is a very positive trend, because it underlines that Armenia’s economy is competitive, it has something to offer.

This trend is supported by two factors that in my view carry a lot of potential. One is the peace process, that will certainly increase business confidence and open borders would substantially reduce the costs of trade with Armenia. The second is the reform agenda that Armenia is pursuing. Foreign investors are looking for a stable environment for their capital. Efforts towards improving the rule of law and combating corruption will pay off in the form of economic benefits.

In addition, our German Business Association in Yerevan has confirmed to me that German companies show a growing interest in Armenia and vice versa, not least because of the country's location in the Southern Caucasus, connecting important trade routes between Asia and Europe.

Therefore, we are happy to provide expertise where needed. Because for Germany, it is clear that the economy is an important pillar to safeguard freedom, security and prosperity - in Germany and Europe as well as in the Southern Caucasus.

It is against this positive background that we signed our strategic agenda in Berlin in December, explicitly stating our joint goal to promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities, collaboration in energy, connectivity and infrastructure, technology, and transportation as well as development of tourism.

-During the Armenian Prime Minister's visit to Berlin, the two leaders also signed documents aimed at expanding cooperation in a number of areas. In your opinion, which areas are of greatest interest in terms of developing and deepening relations between the two countries?

-I would like to emphasize that right before the arrival of Prime Minister Pashinyan to Berlin, the German and Armenian government re-affirmed the intention to enhance the economic development cooperation. Germany will support Armenia with €152°million in loans and grants until 2027, in a joint effort to increase the prosperity of the Armenian people by cooperating in the fields of green economic development, technical and vocational training, renewable energy and energy efficiency, communal development and public administration reform, environmental and social needs. Germany and Armenia also agreed on a new loan of €120°million in order to fully fund the Caucasus Transmission Network, which is crucial for Armenia’s regional energy integration.

We consider the Armenian private sector the backbone of Armenia’s economy. Therefore, we agreed to provide long-term credits with low-interest via the Armenian Central Bank’s German Armenian Fund for the development of small, medium and micro enterprises, especially in rural areas. Now, an Armenian farmer in Shirak, for example, will be able to build an innovative solar-powered greenhouse which creates income and prosperity, but also additional employment for the local community with a credit of the German Armenian Fund. Moreover, this program helps to modernize enterprises and strengthens competitiveness and export chances of Armenia.

Another important focus of our cooperation on the local level is to promote that citizens are included in decision-taking processes in their communities. For instance, the citizens of Tsagkhahovit decided that allocated state funds will be used for the renovation of their cultural hall and road infrastructure. And thanks to the introduction of mobile city offices, community representatives from Khoy now reach out to people in their settlements regularly, and online-services are provided with the effect that especially elderly or people with special needs have direct access to administration services. Germany supports this idea of direct participation on local level, because we believe that citizens know their priorities for an attractive community life. From my own encounters with beneficiaries last year, I can assure you, these effects are impressive.

Moreover, one of the major international events in Armenia in 2026 will be the COP17, the Conference of the Parties on the Convention on Biological Diversity, in October. Germany congratulated Armenia for the presidency and has underlined its readiness for support as one of Armenia’s biggest supporters in biodiversity. We want to achieve that for instance, a sustainable income for farmers living at the shores of Lake Sevan is possible in full respect of the sensitive environment and with support of modern wastewater infrastructure. In addition, we cooperate with Armenian partners on methods to protect national parks like Arevi, and still enable to make a living on agroforestry. I am convinced that the conference will contribute in particular to securing the implementation of long-term sustainable biodiversity solutions for the benefit of Armenia and beyond.

-The situation in the South Caucasus: On August 8, in Washington, Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed the text of the peace agreement agreed upon by the parties back in March. However, the parties have not yet reached a final signing, as Baku is putting forward another precondition related to an amendment to the Armenian Constitution. During a joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the peace agreement initialed between Yerevan and Baku open up broad opportunities for cooperation for the EU as well. How would you comment on this and how does Berlin evaluate the current situation in the region, and what significance do you think this agreement has for the future of the South Caucasus?

-Germany welcomed the initialing of the peace treaty between the two states. Let me remind your readers that the German government actively supported the negotiations that led to these achievements, for example by facilitating negotiations in Berlin which helped paving the way to peace. The German government also welcomed the agreement reached in Washington on transit and transport routes as a sign of hope for peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. This sends an important, positive signal far beyond the region itself: Peace can be achieved by negotiations. The peace treaty paves way for closer cooperation between Armenia and the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union.

Meanwhile, Germany’s contributions to the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the lead of the German Markus Ritter provided safety for Armenians in the border region to Azerbaijan with tangible results. For many months already, the situation at those borders has been calm. I am very grateful for the service of our German policemen and -women in Yeghegnadzor, Martuni, Kapan and other places whom I have visited last year.

From our perspective, it is now crucial that Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to take the remaining steps together peacefully, and that the outstanding issues can be resolved amicably. First positives developments have already materialized: In recent weeks, we have seen encouraging steps of normalization of trade. For the first time in decades, lasting peace is within reach, and Germany will continue supporting both sides on this path towards implementing it.

-According to one of the provisions of the August 8 declaration, following a joint meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, US President Donald Trump, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenia will work with the United States and agreed-upon third parties to define a framework for the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) communications program in the Republic of Armenia. What is Germany’s position on this initiative?

-As mentioned before, Germany followed the developments in the bilateral negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan very closely. We appreciated also the US engagement, because improved and cross-border connectivity in the Southern Caucasus is crucial for the expansion of the so-called “Middle Corridor” as an alternative trade route between Europe and Asia. In general, a reliable cross-border communication is key, that counts especially for an export nation like Germany. The potential of future cooperation regarding TRIPP will be evaluated after the implementation framework between Armenia and USA will be put into motion. Moreover, Armenia is already a key partner of the EU Global Gateway strategy which boosts regional connectivity, trade, transport, energy and digitization.

-In recent years, Armenia has been actively deepening and developing relations with the European Union. During the same joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Berlin is highly interested in Armenia’s rapprochement with Europe. In your opinion how could Germany contribute to further deepening relations between Armenia and the EU?

-One of the key mechanisms in my view is the harmonization of Armenian norms and standards to those of the European market. That sounds very technical, but where rules are harmonized, trade is much easier. Last summer, an Armenian entrepreneur in the fishing business explained to me that due to different standards his company established two production lines – one for the EU market and one for the Eurasian Economic Union. That’s extremely costly. Therefore, Germany supports this harmonization process in quality infrastructure, the pharmaceutical sector, in transport and logistics with the help of German experts such as GIZ and PTB.

We are also engaged in the Armenian justice reform. For many years, the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) has been working with Armenian notaries to modernize rules and procedures. Currently, the focus is on how to apply various European laws into praxis. This is important for many sectors of people’s lives, for example in cross-border family affairs. We have a common interest here because of the Armenians living in Germany and Armenia.

These are only some elements of broader cooperation. The Armenian government prioritizes reforms under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the strategic partnership agenda with promising results.

And although reforms demand a lot of energy from all involved, I truly believe that efforts towards the rule of law, socio-economic development, connectivity, energy security and digital transformation will eventually be beneficial for Armenia and the Armenian people.

-Are there any high-ranking visits from Germany to Armenia planned in the near future, and are there any ongoing projects between the two countries that you would kindly like to share?

-As your readers are aware of, Armenia is going to host the Summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan in May this year. I was delighted to hear that during his meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, has confirmed his firm intention to attend. I am certain that this summit will be a landmark - for the European agenda of Armenia, and for Armenia’s famous hospitality.