Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Mrs. Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee of China.

Greeting the guests, the Prime Minister noted that the development of relations with friendly China is among Armenia’s foreign policy priorities and the current visit of Vice-Chairwoman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee will add momentum to the ongoing cooperation between the two countries. Highly appreciating the current status of Armenian-Chinese relations, Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia is interested in developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, economic, humanitarian, technological spheres and in other prospective areas.

Thankful for the reception, Shen Yueyue said Armenia is a friendly country and an important partner for China. She stressed that the bilateral relations are on a high level, and China is interested in their future development, including by activation of inter-parliamentary cooperation.

Nikol Pashinyan, too, highlighted the role of inter-parliamentary relations. He noted that as an MP, he used to be a member of the parliamentary friendship group with China and contributed thereby to the cause of strengthening the Armenian-Chinese relations. Now, as the Prime Minister of Armenia, he stands ready to continue endeavoring in this direction.

Shen Yueyue pointed out that China highly appreciates Nikol Pahinyan’s contribution to the development of bilateral relations and is ready to build on the existing ties of close partnership.

Nikol Pashinyan thanked the guests for China’s balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and, in this context, appreciated the international community’s contribution to the peaceful settlement thereof. Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia remains committed to the One-China principle.

The Vice-Chairperson of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee assured of her country’s continued support for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stressing the importance of settling the conflict through political dialogue.

Coming to economic cooperation, Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia eager to develop partnership in the spheres of road construction, energy, high technologies, and organic agriculture.

Pleased with the emerging trends of tourism development, both sides emphasized the importance of taking practical steps for establishing direct flights between the two countries.

Shen Yueyue said either China is interested in working in the areas singled out by the Armenian Prime Minister. She emphasized that there is great potential for developing interaction, and she will forward the proposals of the Armenian side to China’s relevant government agencies.

The parties next referred to the cooperation on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union. Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that as a country presiding over the EAEU, Armenia will continue to support the future development of EAEU-China relations.

The Vice-Chairperson of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee of China highly appreciated the role played by Armenia in promoting cooperation between China and the Eurasian Economic Union. She considered prospective the projects aimed at developing export-oriented business relations. In this context, the activation of contacts between Armenian and Chinese business circles was discussed.
Prime Minister Pashinyan advised that the Global IT Congress is due to be held in Yerevan this October and expressed the hope that Chinese companies will be in attendance of the Congress.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the international and regional projects initiated by China, including the One Belt One Road initiative. Welcoming the China-initiated projects and highlighting their economic impact, the Premier said Armenia ready to get involved in their implementation.

In conclusion, Nikol Pashinyan thanked the guests for China’s multifaceted assistance to Armenia and assessed the opening of the Armenian-Chinese Friendship School in Yerevan as a proof of the high level of relationship between the two countries. Already quite popular in our country, the School boasts some 400 students.