ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
 Friday


International expert: Development of relations between Armenia and
China depends on Armenia, and not on the size of the Chinese embassy
in Yerevan

Yerevan August 11

David Stepanyan. Prospects for the development of relations between
Armenia and China primarily depend on Armenia, and not on the size of
the new Chinese embassy in Yerevan. An ex-head of the parliamentary
commission on foreign relations, international expert Hovhannes
Igityan, expressed such opinion to ArmInfo.

On August 9, the foundation of the new building of the Chinese Embassy
in Armenia was laid in Yerevan. The construction of the new embassy
will be completed in 2 years. The new premises of the Chinese Embassy
area of about 40 thousand square meters. It will become one of the
largest embassies in Armenia.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Tian Erlun noted China's intention to
expand its presence in Armenia. Prior to the ceremony, at the meeting
with the Assistant Foreign Minister of China Edward Nalbandian noted
the relations with China as one of the imperatives of Armenia's
foreign policy. His deputy Shavarsh Kocharyan described the
construction of a new Chinese embassy in Armenia as a sign of
increasing interest of the PRC in relation to the South Caucasus.

"In my opinion, the Armenian-Chinese prospects depend on the degree of
freedom of Yerevan in promoting its own interests, on which the
statute of the EEU, Moscow's opinion, stands, but I think that
building relations with the EEU, Yerevan should implement the policy
of exclusion. If there is a need for deepening, more development of
relations with China," the expert said.

In this light, Igityan noted the existence of agreements on the supply
of weapons to China produced in China, stressing the great potential
of Armenia's cooperation with a country that has a powerful military
industry. The expert also stressed the weighty place, the right of
veto of Beijing in the UN Security Council and the possible role of
China, which he could play in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

"Of course, a big embassy is necessary, but this is far from being the
main incentive that encourages the development of relations with our
country. China in the South Caucasus has recently begun to play an
increasingly important role, but its presence in the economy, politics
and finance of Armenia is limited. But on the global level, China is a
block, and today this block looks far into the future, building
relations with Armenia, proceeding not only from today's realities,
but also long-term prospects, "Igityan summed up.