Monday, 20 September 2010
Tigran Sargsyan: “Armenia-China partnership has great development potential”
Armenia’s Independence Day is traditionally marked by the RA embassies abroad. The reception hosted on the part of Armenia’s Embassy in the PRC was peculiar in that it was attended by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan-led delegation which comprised Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan, Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan, Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Karine Ghazinyan, other dignitaries.
In anticipation of the festive event, Tigran Sargsyan got acquainted with the premises, talked to diplomatic corps and Armenian community representatives and Chinese top officials in attendance of the reception.
The 3-storied embassy building in Beijing was offered to the Republic of Armenia on March, 2008. In return, the PRC was allocated a site for embassy on a plot of land next to Isakov street in Yerevan.
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also had a meeting with PRC First Deputy Foreign Minister Wan Guan Gia who thanked Tigran Sargsyan for the visit and congratulated him on Armenia’s national day.
Reaffirming Armenia’s foreign policy focus on developing bilateral relations with China, the Prime Minister stated in part: “There is a strong platform for the furtherance of these relations.” The head of government emphasized Armenia’s adherence to the one-State principle for the People’s Republic of China and hailed China’s keeping to a counterbalanced policy in our region. Pointing to the huge resource available for economic cooperation, Tigran Sargsyan cited the example of synthetic rubber manufacturer Shansi-Nairit JV and underscored the need for building on this successful initiative by means of new joint undertakings.
Basalt processing, tourism and agriculture, as well as direct air communications have been highlighted in this context.
Appreciating the past record of technical assistance provided on the part of PRC government, the head of RA government singled out the granting of agricultural machinery and ambulances to our country. The procurement of buses was said to be the next on the agenda. Noting that Chinese equipment and machinery is well appreciated in Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan expressed readiness for continued cooperation in this field.
Wan Guan Gia expressed gratitude for Armenia’s positive stance to China-related international issues: “Armenia has always been considered as a key partner within the CIS. We respect the path your country follows based on its national priorities,” the Deputy Foreign Minister said. He assured of China’s understanding and support of Armenia-sensitive issues on the international arena. According to Wan Guan Gia, political ties between the two countries should be strengthened on the platform of boosted economic exchanges. He welcomed any Armenian proposal to that effect and went on to assure of continued technical assistance from the PRC.
The Prime Minister of Armenia briefed the Chinese official on recent developments in Armenia-Turkey relationship, including Armenia’s conditions-free border opening initiative which revealed Turkey’s lack in readiness to dialog. The Chinese authorities were said to be closely following the development of Armenia-Turkey relations, valuing good relations between all neighbor States, supporting the initiative of the Armenian side which testifies that Armenia is a peace-loving nation.
Both sides emphasized the role of the Armenian-Chinese intergovernmental commission which is due to meet over the next few months.
With reference to such investment programs of interest to China as might be implemented in Armenia, the Prime Minister handed over a package of specific proposals for cooperation.
Earlier today the delegation paid a fact-finding visit to Beijing’s “Closed Town” royal court museum to get acquainted with this magnificent architectural complex which was the residence of Chinese emperors for about five hundred years.
Later today Tigran Sargsyan will meet with PRC First Vice Prime Minister, member of the standing commission on political bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Kexiang.
Late into the night, the Prime Minister-led delegation will be off to Shanghai where they are due to attend Armenia’s National Day-related events at the Shanghai Expo Center on September 21 as followed by a series of meetings, including one with Mayor of Shanghai Han Zhening.
