June 13, 2005 - 12:15 AMT
VARTAN OSKANIAN MET CHINESE FM
Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with his Chinese associate Li Zhaoxing, RA MFA press center reported. During the meeting the parties discussed the Armenian-Chinese relations and noted the 73% growth of the trade-economic balance. They also considered scientific and technical cooperation as well as programs targeted at student exchange and investigations to be carried out by Armenian specialists in the Chinese universities. Li Zhaoxing noted that according to the conclusions of the joint expert groups, cooperation between Armenia and China can develop in medicine, agricultural machine-building, grape growing and wine-making. Noting the Armenian-Chinese close political ties the parties discussed the prospects of cooperation within international structures including the UN. The Ministers also touched upon the Karabakh and Taiwan problems. Upon completion of the meeting they signed an agreement on mutual providing of buildings, constructions and lands for embassies. Besides, Vartan Oskanian and Li Zhaoxing exchanged letters on the 5 million yuan ($800 thousand) Chinese grant as a technical assistance to Armenia. After the meeting the RA FM attended the new Armenian Embassy in Beijing.