German Analytical Centers and their Activity in South Caucasus

27 m.   |  2019-04-11

According to the Global Go To Think Tank Index 2017 report about the analytical centers of The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, there are about 225 such centers in Germany.   

Germany ranks 5th in the world’s for having top research centers, with the USA at number 1 with (1872) centres, second comes China with (512), third Great Britain with (444) and 4th India with (293). Over the years the number of centers in Germany and in other countries have increased and continues to increase (for example, there were 186 centers in Germany in 2008 [1], 190 in 2009 [1], and 195 in 2015 and 2016 [1, 2]).

The first center named “Colonial Institute of Hamburg” in Germany was established in 1908, which was renamed “The Hamburg World Economic Archives” (Hamburgische Weltwirtschaftsarchiv (HWWA) after the First World War.

The aim of the center was to create an archive about foreign countries based on the libraries and press releases. The center was collecting, assessing and providing information about the German and Foreign Colonization from newspapers, magazines and research reports to the lecturers and students of the Colonization Institute of Merchants. Later the Institute also conducted scientific researches. In March 2005 “The Hamburg Institute of International Economics” (Hamburgisches Weltwirtschaftsinstitut) [1, 2, 3] was established on the basis of the “Archive's” traditions. “Friedrich Ebert Foundation” associated with the “Social-Democratic Party of Germany” is one the oldest German “Think Tanks” founded in 1925. There were 7 think-tanks in Germany before the Second World War with most of the centers founded after the war [1].

Researchers distinguish between the academic (akademisch) and advocacy (advokatische) analytical centers. The first one studies the scientific objectivity and conducts fundamental research in less-studied fields. Winnand Gellner, professor of the Political Sciences calls the academic analytical centers as “institutes without students” [1, 2, 3]. Examples of the academic centers are “German Institute for International and Security Affairs” (Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit), “Kiel Institute for the World Economy” (Kiel Institut für Weltwirtschaf), “Hamburg Institute of International Economics” » (Hamburgisches Weltwirtschaftsinstitut), “German Council on Foreign Relations” (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik) and so on. The analytical centers usually have a campaign orientation and are formally independent, however they assume the protection of interests of certain circles, protection of political parties and groups. Among such centers are “Institute for Applied Ecology” (Öko-Institut), “The Market Economy Foundation” (Stiftung Marktwirtschaft) as well as the foundations affiliated with the political parties (“Konrad Adenauer Foundation”, “Friedrich Ebert Foundation” and so on) [1, 2, 3].


Pahinyan and KAF President Normert Lammert.

Political centers around political parties in Germany

T he foundations related with political parties are part of Germany’s political culture (Parteinahe Stiftungen), at the core work of which were the fundamental ideas of the parties.

On July 14, 1986 it was approved by the verdict of the Federal Constitutional Court (German Bundesverfassungsgericht, BVerfG), that political foundations are financially and organizationally independent from the political parties. It was also confirmed that the foundations should receive state funding, as the public interest is in the scope of their activities [1, 2, 3].

Political education, educational scholarships, scientific researches and the international cooperation development abroad are among the activities of the foundations.     

The activity of the foundation has its constitutional-legal basis in Article 5 of German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) (freedom of opinion), Article 9.1 (Freedom of forming unions) and Article 12.1 (professional freedom). Article 21 of the Basic Law and the Law on Political Parties (Gesetz über die politischen Parteien) which state the constitutional-legal status of the political parties do not regulate the activity of the foundation [1, 2].

The main part of the funding for political foundations (about 90%) are from state funds. The funds are provided from the budget from the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the social-political and democratic professional work, by the so-called World grants. In some cases, the foundations are funded by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Research, Economic Cooperation and Development and by the Bundestag for education scholarships and cooperation development. The Grant’s amount is defined by the Federal Budget Negotiations and is approved by the Law about Budget [1].

The political foundations have adopted a joint clarification about being funded by the state in 1999 (Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung joint later) [1, 2].

The foundations related with the political parties presented in the Bundestag are the following:

“Friedrich Ebert Foundation” (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, FES), Fes.de – associated with the “Social-Democratic Party of Germany” (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, SPD). FES is one of the oldest political parties in Germany. It was founded in 1925 in honour of Friedrich Ebert, first ever democratically elected President in the history of Germany. The work of the FES is oriented on the basic ideas and values of social democracy: freedom, justice and solidarity. This also connects the Foundation with social democracy and with free trade unions. Being a Think Tank, FES also develops different strategies focused on economy, public and educational policy and other key issues. As a Think Tank, they support the formation of public discourse in the crossroads of academic and political figures meetings for the sake of fair and sustainable economic and social order in Europe and throughout world [1, 2]. According to the 2017 report, the Foundation has 106 foreign offices and operates in the South Caucasus [1].

The President of the FES is Kurt Beck [1, 2] the ex-prime minister of Rhineland-Palatinate and SPD member [1, 2]. In 2018 the Foundation had 136 members, among which are political and public figures of Germany such as Olaf Scholz, the Federal Minister of Finance, Thomas Oppermann Vice President of the Bundestag and not to mention many others.


Kurt Beck the President of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

According to the report, the budget of the foundation was 176 mil. euros in 2017, in 2016 it received 167 mil. scholarship funds, the major part of which was from federal ministries and in 2015 the foundation received 153 mil. euros in scholarship money.

“Konrad Adenauer Foundation”, (Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, KAS), Kas.de - is associated with the “Christian Democratic Union” party (Christlich Demokratischen Union, CDU). It was founded in 1955 and since 1964 it has been carrying the name of Adenauer, the first Chancellor of Germany.  

The main principles of the Foundation’s activity are freedom, justice and solidarity. As it was presented in the description, the foundation together with European and International cooperation tries to make so, that people could live self-determined in peace and dignity.  

W ith offices in more than 100 countries in the world and with 120 projects, the foundation supports democracy, legal statehood and social market economy. For the maintenance of peace and freedom, it supports the continuous dialogue on external and security policies, as well as cultural and religious exchange. As a Think Tank and consulting agency, the Foundation develops scientific foundations and modern analysis for political actions. The Foundation’s Academy in Berlin is the forum for dialogue on issues relevant to the future of politics, business, church, society and science. [1, 2, 3, 4].

Since January 2018 the ex-president of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert has been the President of the Foundation (norbert-lammert.de) [1, 2, 3], with Vice Presidents as Hermann Gröhe (hermann-groehe.de)  [1, 2, 3], and Hildigund Neubert [1] who were the members of the CDU, as well as Beate Neuss, Professor of Political Sciences at Chemnitz University of Technology [1, 2]. The Honorary Chairman of the Foundation is Bernhard Vogel, member of the CDU and the former Thuringian Prime Minister (1992 – 2003.) [1].

Among board members of the Foundation are Angela Merkel, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of the CDU and others. Majority of the members of the Foundation and board members are public figures [1]. In 2016, the Foundation received 166 mil. grant, 159 mil. euros of which from the Union and in 2015 got about 154 mil., 147 mil. of which from the Union.

“Hanns Seidel Foundation” (Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung, HSS), Hss.de – is affiliated to the “Christian Social Union” party (Christlich-Soziale Union, CSU), which is called a “sister” party to a CDU and they form an alliance in the Bundestag. HSS was founded in 1967 and is named after Hanns Seidel, the SPD Bavaria, CSU member/chairman, the former Prime Minister of Bavaria (1957-1960) [1, 2]. The aim of the Foundation is promoting the democratic and civic education of the German people on a Christian basis [1]. The Chairman of the Foundation is the CSU member Ursula Mannle and the Secretary General is the CSU member Peter Witterauf [1]. In 2013, the foundation published a study about “Armenian Theme in The Foreign and Domestic Policy of Turkey”. Based on the 2017 report in 2016 the Foundation received 59 mil. euros grant, 54 mil. of which by the Union.

The “Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom” (Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit, FNF), Freiheit.org – is associated with the “Free Democratic Party” (Freie Demokratische Partei, FDP). FNF was founded in 1958 and is named in honour of Friedrich Naumann a German liberal politician. It received the addition "for freedom" in April 2007 [1, 2, 3]. According to the Charter, liberalism is the basis of the foundation, the aim of which is also sharing F. Naumann’s social and national views to all people interested in it, especially to younger generations. The goal of the foundation is to advance the principles of freedom and dignity for all people in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad. [1, 2, 3]. The Foundation is active in over 60 countries around the world [1].

Chief Executive Officer of the FNF is Steffen Saebisch and the Chairman is Karl-Heinz Paqué, FDP member, the minister of finance of the state of Saxony-Anhalt (2002-2006) [1]. According to 2017 report , in 2016 the Foundation received 57 mil. euros grant, 56 mil. of which from the ministries.

The “Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Foundation” (Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, RLS), Rosalux.de–was founded in 1990, originally as the “Social Analysis and Political Education Association" (Verein «Gesellschaftsanalyse und politische Bildung»). In 1999 it was renamed after Roza Luxemburg, the bearer of social-democratic ideas in Europe, a polish socialist, politician and reformist (1, 2). Since 1992 she had been connected with the political “Left” (Die Linke) party (formerly known as a “Party of Democratic Socialism” (Partei des Demokratischen Sozialismus). The Foundation is a platform of a critical analysis of contemporary capitalism and serves as a forum for left-socialist forces, social movements and organizations, left-minded intellectuals and non-governmental organizations [1, 2]. The Chairman of the Foundation is the ex-member of the Bundestag Dagmar Enkelmann [1].

I n 2016 RLS received a 57 mil. euros and in 2017 over 62 mil. euros grant. Among the funding organizations are the Ministries of Domestic and Foreign Affairs, Education and Research, Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as the International Parliamentary Practice Department of the Bundestag.

The “Heinrich Böll Foundation” (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung), Boell.de – is tied to the political “Alliance 90/The Greens” Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). It was founded in 1997 and is named after a German writer, Nobel Prize holder Heinrich Böll [1, 2, 3]. The main objectives of the Foundation are fostering democracy and upholding human rights, defending the freedom of democracy and human rights, preventing the global ecosystem destruction, advancing equality between women and men, defending the freedom of individuals against excessive state and economic power [1, 2]. It encompasses projects in almost 60 countries [1] and based on the 2017 report has 33 offices abroad. In 2017 the Foundation received a grant worth of 64 mil. euros, 66% of which from the Government.  

“Desiderius Erasmus Foundation” Desiderius-Erasmus-Stiftung, DES), Erasmus-stiftung.de – is one of the youngest foundations in Germany, founded in 2017. In July 2018 it was recognised as a foundation affiliated to the “Alternative for Germany” political party (Alternative für Deutschland, AfD). DES is committed to the consolidation and renewal of democracy through more direct citizen participation and less EU patronage [1, 2].

Although the foundation’s financial reports of 2017 are not published yet, in February 2018 German news announced that the affiliated foundations received 27 mil. more euros grant in 2017 than last year [1, 2, 3].

These foundations (except “Desiderius Erasmus Foundation”) are among the largest analytical centers in Germany. Based on the Global Go To Think Tank Index 2017 report,” “Konrad Adenauer Foundation” ranks 16th place, “Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom” ranks 18th, “Heinrich Böll Foundation” ranks the 87th and “Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom” ranks at 156th place in the 173 Top Think Tank in the World.

KAS occupies the 5th place, Fes the 7th place, HSS the 36th, HBS the 42nd and FNF the 46th place in the list of Top Think Tanks in Western Europe. Some of the foundations also included in the list of Top 104 security and national security research centers. HBS is in the 71st place among the Top 95 centers in the field of environmental protection.

Apart from the affiliated foundations, other German analytical centers are also funded by the state. For instance, “German Institute for Economic Research” (Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, DIW Berlin, founded in 1925, [1], “Kiel Institute for the World Economy” (operates since 1914 [1]), “Institute for Economic Studies” (Munich, IFO-Institut),” Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research” (Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung, ZEW)[1], “Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics” (Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics, DICE) centers, which conducts economic researches and so on.

There are also analytical centers in Germany affiliated to the ministries. In March 2018, the Military Academy of the German Armed Forces (Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, Fueakbw.de), launched its activities in Hamburg and in October “The Policy Lab Digital, Work & Society Think Tank” (Denkfabrik Digitale Arbeitsgesellschaft, Denkfabrik-bmas.de) adjacent to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs analytical centers.

German “Think Tanks” in the South Caucasus

S ome German analytical centers act in the South Caucausus, as well as in Armenia. Among these centers are the foundations affiliated to the following political parties.

South Caucasus Regional office of “Friedrich Ebert Foundation” is in Tbilisi and it coordinates the projects implemented in Georgia, Armenia and previously in Azerbaijan. The Tbilisi office has been working since 1994 and since 1995 in Armenia [1, 2]. The main directions of the FEH projects in South Caucasus are democracy, social justice, economy and work, peace and security [1].

Parallel to the strengthening of democracy and civil society institutions FEH tries to strengthen the regional cooperation and promote peaceful resolution of conflicts in South Caucasus [1]. In Armenia the Foundation cooperates both with the National Assembly and with the Government. Already on July 17, 2013 an agreement was reached, according to which the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations will hold joint parliamentary hearings on the foreign policy of Armenia. In November 2015, Karen Nazaryan the RA Deputy Foreign Minister accepted the FEH delegation and discussed Armenian approaches to the regional cooperation, touched upon the integration processes as well as the Armenia-EU relations perspectives. On 25-27 of February 2018, the deputies of the RA National Assembly Armen Ashotyan and Mane Tandilyan participated in the conference on “EU-Armenia: Cooperation, Perspectives” initiated by FEH. Currently FEH does not make any projects in Azerbaijan as it is mentioned on its website.

It should be noted, that the Foundation conducts its activity in Turkey as well, which also works on Armenia-Turkey relations. In April 2017 as a part of the project “Politics of Memory and Forgetting: Network Building for Historians and History Educators in the Context of Armenia-Turkey Relations” historians and history educators from Turkey and Armenia prepared a report on the analysis of history textbooks in Turkey and Armenia. The project was funded by the European Union within the Armenia-Turkey Normalisation as well as by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung representations of Armenia and Turkey [1]. In November 2014 “Seated Gate-Conference on the Prospects of the Turkey Armenian Border” was held in cooperation between Friedrich Ebert Foundation Turkey Office, Hrant Dink Foundation and Ankara University Politics Department [1, 2].

Within the context of the Regional Program on “Political dialogue: South Caucasus” and with the help of Yerevan Office and Tbilisi Regional Office “Konrad Adenauer Foundation” conducts its activity in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia [1, 2]. As it is stated in the description, the Foundation together with churches and religious communities in the South Caucasus promotes peace in the region. KAF in South Caucasus also tries to promote the strengthening of the pluralistic party democracy. In this regard, the Foundation translates various publications in order to contribute to the discussions between the parties in South Caucasus and the “Christian Democratic Union”, supports democratic parties and party programs [1, 2].


RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s speech at Konrad Adenauer Foundation 

In 2013 the Foundation organized a political education project about “Democracy Starts with You” supported by the EU. The project worth of 1.88 mil. euros the Frey Foundation,  Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan came to realization by the KAF, Holand Eduardo Frei Foundation, Political Schools of Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku [1, 2]. On October 28, 2016 the official opening ceremony of the Foundation’s Armenian branch took place, though Armenia and KAF had cooperated previously on an official level. Evidence of this is by the RA ex-president Serge Sargsyan’s speech at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, as well as the meetings between the RA political and public figures and the representatives of the Foundation [1, 2, 3, 4]. It should also be noted, that on February 1, 2019 the RA Prime Minister N. Pashinyan visited “Konrad Adenauer Foundation” and made a speech during his official visit in Germany. He was welcomed by the President of the Foundation Norbert Lammert.

“Heinrich Böll Foundation” runs intense activities in South Caucasus, the regional office of which is situated in Tbilisi and is eligible for programs to be conducted in Armenia as well [1]. The main objective of the HBF South Caucasus Regional Office is forming a free, fair and tolerant societies in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Within the context of the Democratic Political Culture Promotion program, the Office supports the initiatives on social and political empowerment of women and sexual minorities, deals with the environmental and sustainable development issues. It is also stated that the regional office fosters civil society dialogue for peaceful transformation of conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia [1, 2]. The aim of the Foundation is to establish civil society contacts between the conflict parties. The Regional Office closely cooperates with the Foundation’s Istanbul and Moscow Offices as well as with the regional Caucausus NGOs [1, 2, 3].

The Foundation in partnership with its Istanbul Office organizes Armenian-Turkish dialogues on a non-official level [1].

“Friedrich Naumann Foundation” also runs an activity in the South Caucasus by the name of “Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Caucasus” (fnfsc.fnst.org), the regional office of which is also situated in Tbilisi, Georgia and is open for Armenian programs as well [1]. The Foundation aims to promote ideas of freedom and liberalism in the South Caucasus by strengthening civil society and non-governmental organizations [1, 2, 3]. The partners of the Foundation in Armenia are “Armenian National Congress” political party (since 2002), “Caucasus Institute”, “Eurasia Cooperation Foundation” and “Globalization and Regional Cooperation Analytical Center” [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. In March 2016, a discussion was held in Yerevan on “OSCE presidency of Germany: Dialogue, Confidence and Security Strengthening in the OSCE regions” supported by the Foundation and Globalization and Regional Cooperation Analytical Center [1].

The Foundation’s partners in Georgia are the “Free Democrats” and “Republican” liberal political parties, ”New Economic School of Georgia”,  “Center for Civil Involvement”, “Georgian Students for Liberty” and  Accent News Agency [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12].

FNF has made a variety of studies on Armenia. On December 12, 2018 it published an analysis on “Absolute majority for Block of the "Velvet Revolutionary": Alliance of Nikol Pashinyan wins Parliamentary elections in Armenia”. In August 2018 “Three days, three countries and clear announcements: An assessment of Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan”, in December 2015 “Referendum for more Democracy? Armenia adopts a new Constitution” and other analysis.

O n February 1, 2019 an analysis on “Democratic departure in the Republic of Armenia” (Demokratischer Aufbruch in der Republik Armenien) was published, where the authors referred to the events in Armenia in recent months and mentioned that despite the current challenges, there is a hope for the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law in Armenia. It also touches upon the RA Prime Minister N. Pahinyan and German Chansellor Angela Merkel’s meeting.  

Since 1999 the Foundation has also been conducting an activity in Azerbaijan, although it stopped in March 2015. It should be noted that during its activity in Azerbaijan, the Foundation met different obstacles, for instance, in April 2005 the authorities forbade a seminar. In January 2011, Azerbaijani “Musavat” oppositional political party planned to hold a forum with regard to the Centennial of the party accompanied by the Foundation, although under the pressure of the authority the organizers cancelled the agreement 2 days before the event [1, 2].

Although the “Roza Luxemburg Foundation” does not have an office in Armenia, it deals with Armenia, with the main topics of which is the Armenian Genocide: On February 13 and 14, 2016, events were hold on “Armenian Genocide and Islamic Armenians” [1]. On April 13, 2019 a conference will be held on “Between denial and recognition: The Armenian Genocide in the historico-political debates and memorial cultural discourses in Germany”.

The above mentioned event may be because of the fact that Roza Luxemburg studied the national issue, she was interested with the Armenian issue and national-liberation struggle of the Armenians and condemned the Armenian Genocide organized by Turkish Authorities [1].

The Foundation also referred to the conflict of Artakh and Georgian-Abkhazian conflict within the scope of its activities. For instance, on August 13, 2017 an article was published on “Hospitals and Football Fields: the life of the people in the conflict of the post-Soviet Union”, in April 2014 the analysis on “Religion and Transformation in Central Asia and South Caucasus” (Religion und Transformation in Zentralasien und Südkaukasus) and in September 2008 “The five-day war in the Caucasus marks a turning point for Eurasia” (Der Fünf-Tage-Krieg im Kaukasus als Zäsur für Eurasien).

Besides the centers affiliated to political parties, South Caucasus is also the subject of study of other German leading “Think Tanks”.

Among such centers is the “Science and Politics Foundation” (Die Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), which ranks the 20th within the World’s Top 173 centers.

SWP was founded in 1962 as a civil rights foundation. Since January 1965, the German Bundestag unanimously decided to establish an “independent research center” and SWP started to be financed by federal funds [1]. Since 2001 SWP's head office is in Berlin and since 2009 it has an office in Brussels. 

SWP carries out scientific studies in the fields of Foreign and Security Policy. In this regard, the Foundation supports the “German Institute for International Politics and Security” (Deutsche Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit). The Foundation’s analytical orientation framework is decided once in every 2 years. The Foundation presents to the Bundestag and the Federal Government an overview of research issues and topics within the SWP expertise. In 2015 the Foundation’s budget was 53,000 euros [1]. SWP receives institutional grants approved by the Bundestag and paid by the Federal Chansellor’s Office. In 2017 it received 13.8 mil., in 2016 – 12.3 mil., in 2014 – 11.7 mil., and in 2013 another 1.7 mil. dollar grant [1]. The Foundation consists of analytical groups, busy with EU/ Europe, security policy, America, Middle East and Africa, Asia, Global issues analysis. Eastern Europe and Asia research division is busy with political structures, social processes, as well as with the developments in foreign, security and military policy especially in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, particularly in Russia, Belarus, the South Caucasus and Central Asia [1].

SWP also presents different projects related to South Caucasus: From January 2014- December 2016 SWP implemented “Intra- and Inter-Societal Sources of Instability in the Caucasus and EU Opportunities to Respond” (ISSICEU) international research project in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Switzerland, Russia and Turkey. The role of Turkey in the Cacasus was discussed and in particular, Turkish influence in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict within the project’s framework [1].

At different times the SWP referred to the South Caucasus in a number of researches it produced, as well as Armenia and to Artsakh conflict:

“The German Society for Foreign Policy” (Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik e. V. (DGAP) is among German leading academic analytic centers . It ranks the 49th best “Think Tank” in the World’s Top list. Founded in 1955, DGAP is a Foreign Policy network, which promotes the formation of foreign policy in Germany.

The goals of the DGAP are:

  • to make a substantial contribution to the foreign policy debate in Germany;
  • to advise decision-makers in politics, business and civil society;
  • to inform the public about international affairs issues;
  • to strengthen the foreign policy community in German;
  • to promote the foreign policy position of Germany in the world [1].

D GAP conducts research on politics, economy, science and media, organizes professional conferences and discussions on foreign policy, as well as student and group debates, punlishes studies and develops solutions [1].

The organization is funded by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Germany and by many other organizations. According to the 2016-2017 report, in 2016 DGAP received 855 thousand euros and in 2015 about 845 thousand euros grant from the FAM.

DGAP also refers to the  South Caucasus, Artsakh conflict and Armenia in its research. For instance, in January 2015 it published “South Caucasus Caught in the Middle: How geopolitical competition between Moscow and Brussels prolongs instability in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia” (Zwischen den Stühlen: Die Länder des Südkaukasus – Armenien, Aserbaidschan und Georgien – Sind zwischen Moskau und Brüssel gefangen) research-analysis. In 2012 it published “EU Policy in the Caucasus must be scrutinized: Brussels has not given enough attention to solving the ethnic conflicts” (Die EU-Politik im Kaukasus muss auf den Prüfstand: Europa misst der Lösung der Sezessionskonflikte zu wenig Bedeutung bei). In 2013 “Security stagnation in the South Caucasus: Nagorno-Karabakh in the field of tension of regional and international actors” (Sicherheitspolitische Stagnation im Südkaukasus: Berg-Karabach im Spannungsfeld regionaler und internationaler Akteure), “South Caucasus conflict: EU must take more responsibility” (Südkaukasus-Konflikt: EU muss mehr Verantwortung übernehmen) and “Challenges of the Armenian foreign policy: Speech by Edvard Nalbandyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, followed by a discussion” (Herausforderungen der Armenischen Außenpolitik: Rede von Edward Nalbandyan, Außenminister der Republik Armenien, mit anschließender Diskussion). In 2017, “Russia’s policy towards the South Caucasus: Security concerns and ethnopolitical conflict” (Russlands Politik gegenüber dem Südkaukasus: Sicherheitsbedenken und ethnopolitischer Konflikt) and so on.

In conclusion, the analytical and research centers have an important role in German’s political processes and the government highlights their importance. Germany's largest and authoritative analytical centers are also conducting their activities in the South Caucasus, including Armenia. As almost all of this above mentioned centers are funded by the state, it can be concluded, that the foundations affiliated to the political parties are implementing state funding programs in Armenia, aiming to spread their values and principles. As a result of the study, it becomes clear that the core topics of the study of German analytical centers are the Artsakh and Georgian-Abkhazian conflicts in South Caucasus.

Think tank Germany