Armenian-Chinese high-level negotiations take place in Beijing

President Serzh Sargsyan, who has paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), today held a meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping at China National Convention Center.

At the end of the negotiations, the Armenian and Chinese Presidents signed the Joint Declaration on Further Development and Enhancement of Friendly and Cooperative Relationship between the Republic of Armenia and the People’s Republic of China. Moreover, more than a dozen of documents were concluded aimed at the promotion and strengthening of mutual cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas, particularly the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Republic of Armenia and the People’s Republic of China, the Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Framework Agreement on the People’s Republic of China’s Preferential Loan to the Republic of Armenia between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Aid in Customs Affairs between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Documents on Education and Scientific Degrees between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Memorandum on Promotion of Cooperation in Building the Silk Road Economic Belt within the Framework of the Armenian-Chinese Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Agreement on Cooperation in Crime Prevention and Investigation between the Police of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, the Currency Swap Agreement between the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia and the People’s Bank of the People’s Republic of China, the Loan Agreement “The Project on Modernization of Customs Clearance Technologies and Equipment” between the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the RA Government, as a borrower, and Export-Import Bank of China, as a creditor, the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding on Cooperation in Nuclear Energy Projects between the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia and the National Energy Administration of China.

Prior to meeting with President Xi Jinping, President Serzh Sargsyan was hosted at one of the most progressive education centers of the PRC capital, Beijing N2 Secondary School, which has about 290-year-old history. It was organized in 1724 based on the school founded during the Tsin Empire. The school is considered to be one of the largest and most well-equipped schools in Beijing. The 95 percent of the alumni of this educational institution is admitted to the country’s best higher educational institutions. The school is also actively involved in international cooperation programs, including school exchange programs with a number of countries.

The Armenian President toured the educational institution, talked to its teaching staff and familiarized himself with the school’s everyday activities and educational programs, after which he made a note in its honorary guest book: “I am glad to be hosted at one of the most progressive educational centers of the PRC capital. I am confident that the representatives of the Chinese young generation which study here will continue China’s impressive and admirable series of successes and achievements which I have witnessed during all of my visits to China.

I think that it could be possible to utilize your school’s experience in the Advanced Chinese Language School to be built in Armenia on my own initiative. The educational center which will be set up with the help our Chinese friends will become a key guarantee to promote cooperation between Armenia and China.

I am confident that our two peoples who have millennium-old history will continue to develop and reinforce their ties and cooperation in an atmosphere of friendship and peace, realizing their visions for the future,” wrote President Sargsyan.

On behalf of PRC President Xi Jinping, an official dinner will be held today in honor of President Serzh Sargsyan who has paid a state visit to China.

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Joint Declaration
on Friendly Cooperation and Further Development and Enhancement of Relations between the Republic of Armenia and People's Republic of China

From 24 to 28 March of 2015, President Serzh Sargsyan of the Republic of Armenia paid a visit to China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Two leaders in the warm, friendly atmosphere of mutual trust had a detailed discussion on the Armenian-Chinese relations, as well as reached mutual interest on issues of regional and international politics. Both sides could reach an understanding on a wide range of issues.

The Republic of Armenia and the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as Parties) highly value the notable success of the cooperation achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations. They have come to the conclusion that the friendly cooperation between Armenia and China not only conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries but also contributes to shared development and prosperity, peace and stability in both countries.

Based on the endeavor of further development of bilateral friendly cooperation, as well as on mutual understanding of the various aspects of cooperation between the two countries, both Parties declare as follows:

1. The Parties will continue to develop relations rooted in mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits and, following the Joint Communiqué on Friendly Relations and Fundamentals between the Republic of Armenia and the People's Republic of China signed on May 5 of 1996 and the provisions of the Joint Declaration between the Republic of Armenia and the People's Republic of China signed on September 27 of 2004, consistently implement the policy of expanding bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, humanitarian and other fields continuously expanding the friendly Chinese-Armenian relations for the benefit of both nations.

2. The Parties hold that their mutual agreement and support for issues of key mutual interest and concern could serve as a political basis for sustainable and healthy development of Armenian-Chinese relations.

The Armenian side has confirmed its support for the “One China” policy, and stands against any form of the Taiwan independence, reaffirms that it doesn't establish any official relationship with Taiwan, supports peaceful development of relations between the two shores of the Taiwan Strait, as well as the Chinese government's efforts for the country's unification, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China and the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair.

The Chinese side stands for a peaceful and just settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in favor of the main objectives and principles of the UN Charter as well as according to the universally recognized norms of international law.

The two Parties declare that they would not participate in any alliances or coalitions that focus against either Party’s' sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, do not take any action like that, including such contracts with a third party, do not allow the foundation of such organizations or groups in their territory which are detrimental to the other Party's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, moreover, they inhibit any kind of such activity in their territory.

The parties fully support their own development path chosen by each of the two nations based on their own affairs; approve the other Party's support for the efforts of state independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and strengthening their socio-political stability and economic development.

3. The Parties unanimously agree that the development of bilateral relations play a leading role in promoting high-level ties, pledged to further intensify the exchange of visits, expand ties and relations between the governments, legislatures, political parties, unions and social unions, to exchange the state management practice enhancing bilateral relations and channels.

4. The Parties hold that trade ties are an important component of Armenian-Chinese relations. They highly appreciate the role of the Armenian-Chinese Inter-governmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Both Parties are ready to further optimize the structure of trade between the two countries through this committee, to enrich and expand the ways of improving the trade and investment atmosphere, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit to provide favorable conditions for goods, services, technology and capital imports.

The Chinese side encourages and supports its enterprises to make investments in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and commercial criteria. Based on economic and technical feasibility and opportunity to participate in the construction and development in areas such as agriculture, transport, energy , communication, health, infrastructure, etc., it will further enhance the well-being of the people through the implementation of important projects.

The Armenian Party expresses its gratitude to the Chinese Party for its valuable assistance in long years of economic and social development, welcomes the Chinese investments in Armenia and the growth of Chinese enterprises and is ready to provide favorable conditions for them.

The Parties are willing to consider the development of financial cooperation, including mutual exchange of national currencies, finding flexible and various methods of financing and financial assistance for cooperation within the framework of important projects.

The Parties are willing to actively promote practical cooperation and exchange between the territorial units and assist in developing brotherly relations between states, regions and cities, taking into account the local industrial structures and their characteristics, based on complementing each other.

The Parties noted that the joint initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt will create new historic opportunities for cooperation between two countries. The parties will be actively involved in the implementation of agreements; will make joint efforts to enhance the implementation of the Silk Road Economic Belt Project, opening up broad prospective for bilateral cooperation.

5. The Parties emphasize the importance of further expanding and improving cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science and technology, environment, media, sports, tourism and other areas. The parties shall execute agreements; expand research institutions, media, public associations, art groups and youth organizations to establish friendly relations and cooperation, mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, to strengthen the friendship between the two countries passed on from generation to generation.

The Parties are willing to discuss the issue of organizing training and teaching of each other's languages, and to support the development of Confucius Institute in Armenia.

The Parties will continue to expand student exchange. The Chinese side is willing to continue providing state-funded scholarships to students studying in China, giving asistance to the Armenian side for training personnel in different specialisations.

The Parties will discuss the initiative of the culture ministries of both countries by signing a cooperation program within the next 5 years and will discuss the issue of mutual assistance in the preparation and conduct of major events, such as Chinese culture days in Armenia and Armenian culture days in China.

Positive aspects of cooperation have been also discussed in the field of civil aviation. The Parties are ready to negotiate on such issues, to encourage cooperation between enterprises and agencies responsible for air traffic at different formats in order to create favorable conditions for further development of relations between both nations.

6. The Parties on the basis of international law, bilateral agreements and national legislation establish favorable conditions for mutual travels of citizens and to ensure the legal rights of citizens and legal entities on each other's territories.

7. The Parties accept and respect the universal principles of human rights, support the regulation process of disagreements between different countries on the basis of equality and respect through dialogue and cooperation. They find that the protection of human rights at international level should be firmly based on respect towards sovereignty of all countries, based on principle of not interfering in the inner affairs of countries and stand against using state standards in human rights issues and their politicization. The parties are against the interference into other countries’ affairs under the veil of human rights defense and will consolidate ties and cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats.

8. The Parties noted that increasing danger of terrorism in its various forms and manifestation are serious challenges for the safety and socio – political stability of sovereign countries and, consequently, to the safety and stability of the whole world.
The Parties unanimously condemn and are positively against terrorism in any forms and manifestations, willing to activate ties and cooperation between law-enforcement, security and defense bodies of the two countries within the frames of the UN Charter and corresponding international anti-terrorism documents, the fight against terrorism, money laundering, illegal drug circulation and other types of organized transnational crimes.

The Parties are willing to continue bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the sphere of security and law, legal aid, preventing emergency situations and eliminating their consequences.

The Parties are willing to continue appropriate practical cooperation in such field as mutual visits of military delegations, military trainings and provision of military aids.

9. The Parties emphasize that the current year was marked by the 70th anniversary of victory in World War II, as well as the 70th anniversary of the UN establishment. As winner countries, the Parties condemn and counteract the distortion of World War II’s history, Nazism, militarism and any propaganda attempts and actions of their accomplices.

Two countries and people are fully determined to do their best, to continue to address their efforts together with international community, peace-loving countries and people in order to save world order the core of which is the UN, not letting wars and conflicts occur. The Parties attach great importance to the international efforts to prevent crimes against humanity and stand for the unacceptability of their denial, as well as for condemnation and preservation of historical truth.

10. The Parties will activate further dialogue and cooperation within the scope of the UN and other international organizations and institutions. Both countries will retain close ties and coordination within international and regional issues of mutual interest in order to create favorable conditions for the development of the two countries.

The Parties mention that the UN plays central role in preservation of peace on the globe, as well as in supporting equal development of countries and international cooperation issues. The Parties speak for necessary rational reforms of UN and its Security Council approved by the member countries with the aim of fulfilling the duties assigned by the UN Charter.

The Parties share a common opinion that reforms should be carried out on the basis of maximum consensus. It is necessary to discuss the opportunity of increasing representation of medium and small countries and developing the right to vote, as well as their sequential involvement into the Security Council and their participation and important role in decision making.

Both interested Parties should continue negotiations and try to come up with a complex decision, taking into account the needs and interests of both Parties.

11. The Parties consider that the agreement and documents concluded during the visit will give new impetus to the further development of the friendly cooperative relationship between Armenia and China and will serve to deepening of friendship between both countries, as well as will contribute to mutual development and prosperity of the countries.

12. RA President Serzh Sargsyan invited the PRC President to pay an official visit to Armenia at any time within his convenience. PRC President Xi Jinping accepted the invitation with great pleasure. The dates of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.