Chinese official, Armenian defence chief discuss cooperation

Mediamax news agency
26 Aug 04

YEREVAN

The secretary of the Security Council [under the Armenian president]
and defence minister, Serzh Sarkisyan, received in Yerevan today
Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese National
Defence Ministry Qian Lihua.

The press service of the Armenian Defence Ministry told Mediamax news
agency that during the meeting Serzh Sarkisyan expressed gratitude to
the leadership of the Chinese government and army for assisting the
Armenian armed forces. For his part, Qian Lihua noted that the
Chinese leadership attaches great importance to cooperation with
Armenia, including in the military sphere.

It was noted during the meeting that six Armenian servicemen would be
able to study at China’s military academies in 2004-06. If Armenia
wishes to increase the number of its students, the Chinese side is
ready to consider this issue, [the official said].

Serzh Sarkisyan expressed the hope that Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan’s visit to China at the end of September will give a new
impetus to the development of bilateral relations.