china.html
Sept 12 2009
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian started his official
visit to China
Foreign Minister of Armenia discussed the perspectives of development
of bilateral relations with Chinese highest leadership.
On September 10, by the invitation of Foreign Minister of China Yang
Jiechi, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian arrived in
Beijing with an official visit.
On September 11, meeting between Foreign Ministers of Armenia and
China Edward Nalbandian and Yang Jiechi took place.
Edward Nalbandian thanked his Chinese counterpart for warm reception
and mentioned that Armenia attaches great importance to the
development and enhancement of friendly relations with China. Minister
Nalbandian expressed satisfaction with dynamic development of
bilateral relationship in different areas and said, that there isn’t
any problem between Armenia and China that could divide the sides,
instead there are many factors that unite our countries.
Ministers Nalbandian and Yang Jiechi noted that effective cooperation
in political, economic, cultural and education areas enhanced mutual
trust between the sides and now there is a willingness of the two
countries to undertake dynamic steps for the deepening of mutually
beneficial partnership by involving new areas of cooperation.
Armenian and Chinese Foreign Ministers had a detailed discussion on
issues concerning the intensification of consultations between Foreign
Ministries, the exnahncement of cooperation between the two countries
within the international organisations, and exchanged views on number
of international and regional issues.
Armenian Foreign Minister reaffirmed the Armenian position on
One-China and thanked his Chinese counterpart for the balanced
position of China on the issues related to the Caucasus.
Edward Nalbandian presented to his Chinese counterpart the process of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the efforts
aimed at the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue.
Foreign Minister of China expressed his country’s support for the
steps undertaken in the directions of peace settlement of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabakh) issue and normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations.
Ministers had an intense discussion on the issues of international
relations, particularly – UN Security Council reform, Middle East
settlement process, the elimination of consequences of financial
crisis and global climate change.
During the negotiations Foreign Ministers of Armenia and China had a
detailed discussion on the promotion of economic partnership and the
implementation of agreements reached in that area. It was decided to
hold the next session of Armenian-Chinese intergovernmental commission
in December in Beijing.
At the meeting of Foreign Ministers which lasted approximately 3
hours, the two also touched upon the cooperation in the areas of
education, science and culture. They both attached importance to the
necessity to increase the number of Armenian and Chinese students in
the Universities of Armenia and China, as well as the signing of an
agreement on mutual recognition of certificates of
education. Ministers mentioned with satisfaction that on November 2009
Chinese Cultural days will be held in Armenia and discussed the
possibility of organization of Armenian Cultural Days in China.
On the same day Edward Nalbandian was received by Vice President of
China Xi Jinping.
Armenian Foreign Minister conveyed to the Vice President of China the
congratulatory message of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on
the 60-th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China addressed to
the President of China Hu Jintao.
During the meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, they discussed the
perspectives of development of bilateral relations. Vice President
Jinping welcomed the upcoming visit of the President of Armenia to
China.
Xi Jinping and Edward Nalbandian had a detailed discussion on a wide
range of issues concerning bilateral political, economic and cultural
relations. The two expressed satisfaction with the established
friendly partnership between the two countries and emphasized that the
positions of Armenia and China on international issues coincide or are
close to each other. Chinese vice-president expressed his gratitude
for Armenia’s stand in issues of great importance for China.
Touching upon the joint projects Vice President of China and Armenian
Foreign Minister stressed the joint construction of Synthetic Rubber
Shanxi- Nairit factory in China which is nearly to be completed, as
well as the participation of Chinese companies in the reconstruction
and modernization of power plants in Armenia, the mining, particularly
in the chloroprene molybdenum industry. Minister Nalbandian stressed
Armenia’s interest in attracting more investments from China in
different economic projects. Vice President of China mentioned that
the Chinese Government would encourage the business sector to make
investments in Armenia.
On September 11, at the Ministry of Trade of China an Agreement on
providing technical-economic support to Armenia by the Chinese
Government was signed.
On September 10, Edward Nalbandian delivered a comprehensive speech on
Armenia’s foreign policy at the Institute of International Studies of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Ambassadors and diplomats
accredited in Beijing, expert community, representatives of business
frameworks and journalists attended the meeting. Armenian Foreign
Minister also visited the Armenian Embassy in Beijing, where he had
consultation with the staff of the Embassy, then met with the Armenian
students studying in Beijing. During the friendly conversation, Edward
Nalbandian presented the Armenian-Chinese relations and perspectives
of their development, answered the questions of the students.
Foreign Minister of Armenia gave broad interviews to Xinhua news
agency and CCTV central state TV.
On September 12, Edward Nalbandian will leave for Shanghai where he
will have meetings with the organization committee of Shanghai World
Expo 2010.