Xinhua, China
Oct 19 2004

Armenia, China to boost bilateral ties

ERIVAN, Armenia, Oct. 19 (Xinhuanet) — Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on
Tuesday that Armenia stands ready to further strengthen cooperation
with China.

Meeting Li in the Armenian capital, Kocharyan said his September
visit to China was a success, during which the two sidesreached
consensus on developing bilateral relations. Armenia stoodby China in
its choice of a development path suited to its own conditions and is
impressed by China’s active role in international affairs, he said.

In a separate meeting with the Chinese foreign minister on
Tuesday, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian echoed
Kocharyan’s remarks on enhancing bilateral ties. He said his
government is working to implement the agreements reached during
Kocharyan’s visit to China.

Cooperation in technology and agriculture between the two
countries had been fruitful and Armenia hopes to see broadened
cooperation between the two countries’ enterprises and more Chinese
investment in Armenia, Margarian said.

Both Kocharyan and Margarian reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment
tothe one-China policy. They reiterated that the Armenian
governmentbelieves there has always been and will be only one China
in the world.

Li told his Armenian hosts China is keen to develop friendly
cooperation with Armenia and his trip is an instance of China’s
concrete actions to implement what has been achieved in the consensus
established by the leaders of both countries. Li said heis optimistic
about further strengthening bilateral ties.

Li arrived in Erivan Monday on an official visit to Armenia. Heis
also to visit Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.