Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today received PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Welcoming the Chinese Foreign Minister to Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan evoked his recent visit to China. “I had productive meetings with the Chinese President, the Prime Minister and the business circles, and I am pleased that we have reached concrete agreements following the results of our discussions to develop mutually beneficial cooperation. Once again, I would like to thank you for inviting me to participate in the Dialogue of Asian Civilizations conference. This initiative is of great importance in terms of promoting cooperation between countries, fostering mutual trust and global stability. I would also like to emphasize that the peoples of Armenia and China share strong human bonds and hospitality,” the Premier said.

PRC State Council member, Foreign Minister Wang Yi thanked the Armenian Prime Minister for hosting him, as well as for attending the Dialogue of Asian Civilizations conference. In his words, China is eager to strengthen the dialogue and the ongoing mutually beneficial cooperation. He noted that the Chinese side appreciated Nikol Pashinyan’s meetings with his country’s highest authorities and the agreements reached in Beijing, which once again highlighted the importance of further developing the relations between Armenia and China.

The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that as underpinned by mutual respect and friendship, the cooperation between Armenia and China has been on the rise ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations: “We stand ready to build on the ties of mutually beneficial cooperation with Armenia under your leadership,” Wang Yi.

Prime Minister Pashinyan pointed out that the reciprocated visits and high-level official meetings between the two countries testify to the positive dynamics of the Armenian-Chinese cooperation, which is welcomed by the Armenian society.

The Head of Government stressed the importance of the agreement as signed today by the Armenian and Chinese Foreign Ministers on mutual abolition of entry visa requirements for persons holding regular passports between the governments of the Republic of Armenia and the People’s Republic of China, which will help promote not only humanitarian ties, but also trade exchanges and mutual investments. In this context, the Premier suggested discussing the prospects of direct air communication.

The parties looked at ways of deepening interaction in a number of areas under bilateral agreements. In particular, they discussed possibilities for cooperation in road construction, infrastructure, information and high technologies, as well as expanding sales markets and implementing new investment programs. Both sides stressed the importance of cooperation on the North-South Highway project. According to Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian government considers it not only as an infrastructure development project, but also as an opportunity to create a communication corridor that can be an important link under the Belt and Road initiative. In turn, Wang Yi conveyed China’s interest in participating in the construction of the North-South Highway, considering its importance under the Belt and Road initiative, as well as to regional development and stability.

The Armenian Prime Minister advised that his government is taking steps to boost technological production and is keen to strengthen cooperation in the field of information technologies. Nikol Pashinyan invited Chinese companies to participate in the World IT Congress to be held in Yerevan on October 6-9, 2019.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said that the high-tech industry is developing rapidly in China and, given Armenia’s huge potential in this field, they stand ready to discuss prospects for exchange of experience and partnership development. Thankful for the invitation to attend the World IT Congress, Wang Yi noted that the Chinese side will explore the possibilities and the level of its participation.

The Armenian Prime Minister and the Chinese Foreign Minister exchanged views on global and regional security issues, stressing the need for cooperation to strengthen global and regional stability. In this context, Prime Minister Pashinyan thanked China for its balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.