Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi shakes hands with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan (R) in Yerevan Feb 17, 2011.[Photo/Xinhua]

YEREVAN- The president and prime minister of the Republic of Armenia on Thursday met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan told the Chinese visitor that his country is interested in expanding China's participation in regional economic cooperation and that he had expected Yang's visit to give the development of Armenian-Chinese relations a fresh impetus.

"For China, Armenia is a friendly country and a reliable partner," said the Chinese foreign minister. "We are ready to support your economy and expand cooperation in various spheres having a big potential."

During their meeting, the Armenian prime minister and the Chinese foreign minister stressed further development of bilateral economic ties. They agreed that the next sitting of the Armenian- Chinese inter-governmental committee would be held in Yerevan.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Yang agreed that further cooperation could be forged in such areas as infrastructure, agriculture, telecommunications and trade.

The two touched upon such issues during their talks as China's participation in the Iran-Armenia railway construction, direct flight between China and Armenia, and increase in trade turnover.

The Chinese minister also met his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian on Thursday in Yerevan.

The two foreign ministers also discussed further cooperation in various fields of development.

"With my Chinese counterpart, we discussed implementation of the agreements reached during the visit of the Armenian president to China last year," said Nalbandian. "We are grateful to the Chinese government for its technical assistance. I would like to note that China decided to provide Armenia with 80 ambulance cars this year. Chinese buses will be delivered to Armenia next year."

The Chinese foreign minister told a joint press conference after the meeting between the two foreign ministers that China supports a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the South Caucasus.

"During the meeting with my Armenian counterpart, we referred also to regional issues," said Yang. "China's official stance is that we support conflicts' peaceful resolution through dialogue and negotiations."

The Chinese minister told the press conference that he believes the conflicting parties in the region would find a solution that will bring prosperity and development to the region.

"Further strengthening of the Armenian-Chinese friendship and cooperation not only serves the common desire of both countries, but also fundamental interests of China and Armenia and our peoples," Yang added.

The Chinese minister said that the two countries could also cooperate in such other fields as science, education, health, culture and tourism.