Visa free travel is just one of the bilateral agreements made by the two countries during a visit to Yerevan by the Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.
On Sunday (26 May), China and Armenia signed a mutual visa exception agreement for ordinary passport holders during a visit to Yerevan by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. At a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the Chinese State Councillor emphasised that China considers Armenia as an important partner in Eurasia. He also said that his country is willing to enhance cooperation with Armenia on trade, technology, infrastructure and stability.
Alongside the visa waiver agreement, the two countries also signed an extradition treaty, a protocol on food safety, and agreements related to the trade of Armenian honey with China. The foreign ministers agreed to deepen bilateral trade and economic ties between the two countries and promote further cooperation under the framework of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative.
During his visit, Wang Yi also met Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Armenian President Armen Sarkissian. Sarkassian spoke highly of China's Belt and Road Initiative, and stated, "The friendship between our nations traces back to the friendly cooperation spanning centuries and millennia."
Pashinyan praised Chinese development achievements and said that he was willing to learn more from Beijing. Speaking to Pashinyan, Wang Yi stated, "We stand ready to build on the ties of mutually beneficial cooperation with Armenia under your leadership."
Source: commonspace.eu and agencies
photo: The Foreign Ministers of China and Armenia in Yerevan on 26 May 2019
