Li Huilai: The high-level relations and friendship between China and Armenia are based on sincerity and mutual respect
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan received the delegation headed by Li Huilai, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China for European and Central Asia Affairs on August 9, the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RA report. The delegation is in Yerevan to participate in consultations between Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandyan highly appreciated the current level of Armenian-Chinese friendly relations, noting that for Armenia relations with China are considered one of the foreign policy priorities.
Expressing gratitude for the reception, China’s high-ranking diplomat conveyed greetings and wishes of the Foreign Minister of the PRC Wang Yi to the Foreign Minister of Armenia and underlined that his country would like to further deepen the dynamic partnership with Armenia and strengthen friendly ties. “The unprecedentedly high-level relations and friendship between China and Armenia are based on sincerity and mutual respect,” said Li Huilai.
The interlocutors touched upon the implementation process of the agreements reached between the leaders of two countries.
The sides appreciated the close cooperation in various fields established between the two countries during the 25 years of diplomatic relations between Armenia and China.
Edward Nalbandyan and Li Huilai discussed a wide range of issues related to the bilateral agenda, highlighted the importance of the political dialogue, expansion of the legal framework, cooperation in the international structures, continuous mutual support in issues of interest.
The joint efforts aimed at expanding trade and economic ties were discussed at the meeting. In this regard, the interlocutors touched upon the activities of the Armenian-Chinese intergovernmental commission. Li Huilai highlighted the importance of Armenia’s participation in the conference on international cooperation “One Zone, One Way” held in Beijing in May, 2017, and underlined that this program provides broad opportunities to promote the bilateral economic cooperation. Edward Nalbandyan stressed the interest of Armenia to take an active part in the “One Zone, One Way” program.
Throughout the conversation the cooperation in the spheres of education, science and culture was touched upon. In this regard, the activities of the Center for Armenian Studies in the Dalian University of Foreign Languages in China, as well as the Confucius Institute in Armenia were highlighted.
The Armenian Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude for China’s assistance to Armenia since its independence.
The agenda of the meeting included a number of urgent issues of the regional and international agenda.
Edward Nalbandyan presented the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, highly appreciating the balanced position of friendly China in this regard. For his part, Li Huilai underlined that China supports the efforts undertaken towards an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict.
After the meeting, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan and Assistant Foreign Minister of China Li Huilai attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the new building of the Embassy of People`s Republic of China in Yerevan.
