Tuesday, 19 October 2004
Today RA Prime Minister A. Margaryan has received Mr. Lee Jaosin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
At the meeting both sides have stated that over the past 12 years that followed the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries, Armenia and China were able to establish close political cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual understanding. They stressed the necessity of continuing high-level political contacts in order to deepen this process and expressed confidence that the discussions held and the arrangements reached at during President Kocharyan's September visit to China would make it possible to raise to a higher grade the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister A. Margaryan has noted with satisfaction the fact of having established closer ties of friendship and cooperation between the Armenian Republican Party and the Chinese ruling party. The head of the Armenian government noted that, as a foreign political priority, Armenia had consistently been seeking the strengthening of relationship with China, which is a greatest world power. He said to be highly appreciative of the positive role played by China in terms of promoting peace and stability all over the world. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that China's well-balanced and impartial approach to the settlement of the Karabkh issue would be conducive to a fair resolution of the conflict.
With reference to bilateral economic and commercial relationship, Mr. A. Margaryan and Mr. Lee Jaosin have mentioned the need in their expansion. Chemical industry, energy and agriculture were cited as priority areas of cooperation. Among other fields of mutual interest, they mentioned scientific research and development, education and culture, public health care and tourism. Satisfied with the recent considerable increase in the level of bilateral commercial exchanges, the Chinese Foreign Minister reiterated its government's willingness to make serious investment into the industrial infrastructure of Armenia.
In closing, Prime Minister A. Margaryan wished every success to Mr. Lee Jaosin's mission and asked the Foreign Minister to convey his warm greetings to H.E. Wen Zhiabao, President of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
