Hakob Simidyan, Minister of Environment of the RA Received Claudia Busch, Newly Appointed Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Armenia.
After welcoming the partners in the Ministry of Environment, Hakob Simidyan congratulated Mrs. Busch on her appointment, wishing her effective work for the benefit of expanding and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
"The German Government is a reliable and important partner for Armenia and, in particular, for our sectoral reforms. The RA Government pursues the effective course of all the projects implemented with the German side and is ready to expand the scope of cooperation," noted  the Minister.
Mrs. Busch, in her turn, congratulated the Government of the Republic of Armenia, particularly the Ministry of Environment, on being selected as the host country for the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (#COP17).
"In the environmental agenda of both the Republic of Armenia and the Federal Republic of Germany, the protection of biodiversity is a priority, and we can cooperate in the organization and preparation of the conference," said Minister Simidyan.
During the meeting, the improvement of the efficiency of protection of specially protected nature areas was referenced and the possibilities of possible cooperation were discussed.
The projects implemented with the financial support of the Federal Republic of Germany were referenced by the parties.
In particular, the "Biodiversity and Sustainable Local Development in Armenia"  largest grant project was discussed, the total budget of which is currently 26.2 million euros. The project provides for two components: Biodiversity and protection and management of specially protected nature areas; Forest protection and sustainable management.
Hakob Simidyan noted that within the scope of hosting the #COP17, the efforts should be doubled and more concentrated in this direction.
Possible cooperation in the direction of water resources management was also discussed. Minister Simidyan expressed his willingness to deepen the cooperation in all possible directions.