Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received on Thursday the delegation led by Vice-Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China Shen Yueyue, the PM's office.

Welcoming the guests to the National Assembly, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the development of relations with friendly China is one of the important directions of Armenia's foreign policy, and the visit of the Vice-Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China  will give a new impetus to the cooperation between the two countries. Highly assessing the current level of Armenian-Chinese relations, the prime minister said that Armenia is interested in the development of mutually beneficial ties in political, economic, humanitarian, technological and other spheres.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Shen Yueyue noted that  Armenia is a friendly country and an important partner for China. According to him, relations between the two countries are at a high level and China is interested in their further development, including the activation of inter-parliamentary cooperation.

Nikol Pashinyan also highlighted the role of inter-parliamentary relations, noting that when he was a member of the parliament he was a member of the parliamentary friendship group with China and participated in the works of strengthening the Armenian-Chinese relations, and now, as an MP, he is ready to continue the efforts in that direction. Shen Yueyue noted that China highly appreciates Nikol Pahinyan’s contribution to the development of bilateral relations and is ready to deepen the partnership.

Nikol Pashinyan thanked for the balanced position of China over Nagorno Karabakh conflict, highlighting the support of the international community for a peaceful conflict settlement. Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia remains committed to "One-China policy". The Vice-Chairwoman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee noted that China continues supporting the peaceful settlement process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, highlighting the settlement of the conflict through political dialogue.

The interlocutors discussed issues referring to the cooperation agenda between Armenia and China and prospects for its development. Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia is interested in the development of partnership in the spheres of road construction, energy, high technologies, and organic agriculture. Expressing satisfaction over the pace of the development of tourism between the two countries, the sides emphasized the importance of taking practical steps for establishing direct flights.

Shen Yueyue said that the direction mentioned by the Armenian PM are also of interest for China and there is great potential for developing cooperation and she will convey the proposals of the Armenian side to the respective state bodies of China.  

The sides also referred to the cooperation in the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union. PM Pashinyan noted that Armenia, as a country presiding over the EAEU, will continue to support the future development of China-EAEU relations.

The Vice-Chairwoman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee of China highly assessed the role of Armenia in the cooperation between China and the EAEU.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on international and regional projects initiated by China, particularly “One Belt One Road”. Saluting the China-initiated projects and highlighting their economic importance, the Armenian Prime Minister noted that Armenia is ready to be involved in their implementation.

Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the support of China to Armenia and assessed the opening of the Armenian-Chinese friendship school in Yerevan as a proof of the high level of relations between the two countries. The school has already become quite popular and has 400 students.