German Ambassador was a guest of Turan agency

Baku/04.02.21/Turan: On February 4, the German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Wolfgang Manig was a guest of the Turan news agency. 

He got acquainted with the work of the agency,  and exchanged views with the journalists of this media  on the possibilities of establishing information trust in the South Caucasus region and, in particular, between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The German government is interested in enhancing the role of the media in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, establishing trust between the two states and peoples, ensuring long-term peace for the benefit of the two countries, the ambassador said, outlining the position of his country.

During the 44-day war, hate speech abounded in the media and social networks of both countries, increasing alienation and hatred in societies. This upsurge in linguistic violence was perceived as a dangerous trend that could pose a serious obstacle to the restoration of peace.

Wolfgang Manig noted that Germany is ready to assist in establishing trust and mutual respect with journalists, whose role is very important in establishing information bridges between countries and peoples.

“Germany has always used various programs to improve the professional and ethical level of journalists from different countries, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, and is ready to take the necessary steps to become a platform for joint meetings and trainings of Azerbaijani and Armenian journalists,” the ambassador said.

According to the director of the agency, Mehman Aliyev, after the end of the war, the hostile information intensity has noticeably subsided and the media reduced the amount of materials that form the image of the enemy on both sides.

In his opinion, the transition from the language of enmity to the language of mutual understanding can become more effective in case of appropriate steps by the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"If at the political level the parties come to agreements on peace and cooperation, then this will certainly be projected on the media, which will make the process more effective," he said. The ambassador and the journalists also shared their views on the situation in the media in general, on the prospects for the establishment of the Media Development Agency in Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Manig also gave an interview to the agency on the topic of war, transition to peace and the situation in the media. - 0—