YEREVAN. – Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, Sir Simon McDonald, on Friday will make his first ever visit to Armenia.

Sir Simon will meet President Armen Sarkissian, First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, and several other senior officials, press service of the UK embassy informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. He will discuss the Government of Armenia’s reform plans, and UK support to Armenia.

In addition, Sir Simon will give a speech to aspiring diplomats at the Diplomatic School of Armenia about diplomacy in the 21st century. He will also meet alumni of UK educational programs, and Armenian civil society representatives.

“I am glad to visit Armenia in order to underline the importance of our bilateral relationship,” the Permanent Under-Secretary, Sir Simon McDonald, said, ahead of his visit. “There are new opportunities to seize as the UK and Armenia deepen and strengthen our economic and political relations.”

Sir Simon’s visit comes in the wake of a business delegation headed by the UK Trade and Investment Envoy to Georgia and Armenia, Mark Pritchard MP, in June, and which showcased opportunities for British business in Armenia.