Prime Minister Receives Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the State Council member and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, today.

Prime Minister Pashinyan welcomed the Chinese Foreign Minister to Armenia and warmly recalled his recent visit to China. "I had very productive and good meetings with the President of China, the Prime Minister, and Chinese businessmen, and I am pleased that as a result of our discussions, we have reached specific agreements to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. Once again, I express my gratitude for the invitation to participate in the 'Dialogue of Asian Civilizations' conference. This initiative is of great importance in strengthening cooperation, mutual trust, and global stability among peoples," said the Prime Minister of Armenia.

Wang Yi expressed gratitude to the Armenian Prime Minister for the reception and for participating in the 'Dialogue of Asian Civilizations' conference. He noted that China values the strengthening of dialogue, the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, and that the meetings of the Armenian Prime Minister with China's top leadership highlighted the importance attached by both sides to Armenian-Chinese relations and their continuous expansion and intensification. He remarked that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, cooperation between Armenia and China has effectively developed based on mutual respect and friendship between the two peoples. "We are ready and motivated to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Armenia under your leadership," Wang Yi stated.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the recent frequent high-level official visits and meetings between the two countries testify to the positive dynamics in the development of Armenian-Chinese relations, which the Armenian public responds to very positively. The Prime Minister emphasized the signing of the agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for ordinary passport holders between the governments of Armenia and China by the foreign ministers of both countries in Yerevan today, which will contribute not only to the development of humanitarian but also business ties and attracting investments. In this context, the Prime Minister proposed to jointly discuss the prospects of establishing direct air communication.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to deepening connections in various sectors within the framework of the agreements reached. In particular, they addressed opportunities for cooperation in construction, infrastructure, information and high technologies, machinery, and expanding export markets and implementing investment projects for business circles.

The importance of cooperation in the construction of the North-South highway was mutually emphasized. According to Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian government views it not only as a road infrastructure development program but also as a chance to form a communication corridor, which could be a vital link in the context of the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. Wang Yi, for his part, noted that China is interested in participating in the construction of the North-South highway, considering its significance in terms of both the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and ensuring regional development and stability.

The Prime Minister noted that the Armenian government is taking steps to promote technological production and is also interested in deepening cooperation in the IT sector. Nikol Pashinyan invited Chinese companies to participate in the Global IT Conference taking place in Yerevan from October 6-9 this year. The Chinese Foreign Minister mentioned that the high-tech sector in China is developing at a rapid pace, and being aware of Armenia's potential in this field, they are ready to discuss possibilities for experience exchange and further cooperation.

Wang Yi expressed gratitude for the invitation to participate in the Global IT Conference and noted that China will consider the opportunities and levels of participation.

The Prime Minister of Armenia and the Chinese Foreign Minister also exchanged views on global and regional security challenges, emphasizing cooperation in strengthening global and regional stability.

Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed gratitude for China's balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.