On April 28, at the initiative of the Armenian side, a phone conversation was held between Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, and Heiko Maas, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Germany touched upon the situation due to the spread of COVID-19 and programs being implemented at the national level aimed at fighting the pandemic. In this context, the Foreign Minister of Armenia presented to his German counterpart the steps undertaken by the Government of Armenia towards the prevention of further spread of the pandemic and gradual restoration of normalcy.

Within the context of international cooperation and steps aimed at preventing economic crisis, both sides emphasized the importance of measures addressing the social-economic consequences due to the spread of the pandemic. Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan appreciated the initiative of the German side to support expertise exchange with Armenia.

The interlocutors exchanged views on issues of bilateral agenda and effective cooperation on multilateral platforms between the two countries. The Foreign Minister of Armenia underscored the readiness to take practical steps towards increasing the inclusiveness of bilateral agenda, including through maintaining and deepening dynamics of dialogue in political, economic, scientific and educational spheres.

In the context of the Armenia-EU partnership the Ministers touched upon Germany's upcoming Presidency in the EU. Minister Mnatsakanyan particularly emphasized the importance of the Eastern Partnership in deepening the partnership with the EU and EU member states, as well as in promoting democratic reforms implemented at the national level. Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan underlined Armenia's commitment to continue democratic reforms even during this difficult period of the pandemic.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Heiko Maas also touched upon a number of urgent issues of regional and international agenda. Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the principled position and approaches of the Armenian side on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and highlighted the importance of strict adherence to the ceasefire during the global health crisis.

In this context, both sides stressed the need to follow the global ceasefire appeal of the UN Secretary General.