Friday, August 11 2017 19:08

ArmInfo.Prospects for the development of relations between Armenia and China primarily depend on Armenia, and not on the size of the new Chinese embassy in  Yerevan. An ex-head of the parliamentary commission on foreign  relations, international expert Hovhannes Igityan, expressed such  opinion to ArmInfo.

On August 9, the foundation of the new building of the Chinese  Embassy in Armenia was laid in Yerevan.  The construction of the new  embassy will be completed in 2 years. The new premises of the Chinese  Embassy area of about 40 thousand square meters. It will become one  of the largest embassies in Armenia.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Tian Erlun noted China's intention to  expand its presence in Armenia.  Prior to the ceremony, at the  meeting with the Assistant Foreign Minister of China Edward  Nalbandian noted the relations with China as one of the imperatives  of Armenia's foreign policy. His deputy Shavarsh Kocharyan described  the construction of a new Chinese embassy in Armenia as a sign of  increasing interest of the PRC in relation to the South Caucasus.

"In my opinion, the Armenian-Chinese prospects depend on the degree  of freedom of Yerevan in promoting its own interests, on which the  statute of the EEU, Moscow's opinion, stands, but I think that  building relations with the EEU, Yerevan should implement the policy  of exclusion. If there is a need for deepening, more development of  relations with China," the expert said.

In this light, Igityan noted the existence of agreements on the  supply of weapons to China produced in China, stressing the great  potential of Armenia's cooperation with a country that has a powerful  military industry. The expert also stressed the weighty place, the  right of veto of Beijing in the UN Security Council and the possible  role of China, which he could play in the settlement of the Karabakh  conflict.

"Of course, a big embassy is necessary, but this is far from being  the main incentive that encourages the development of relations with  our country. China in the South Caucasus has recently begun to play  an increasingly important role, but its presence in the economy,  politics and finance of Armenia is limited. But on the global level,  China is a block, and today this block looks far into the future,  building relations with Armenia, proceeding not only from today's  realities, but also long-term prospects, "Igityan summed up.