Armenia and China mutually eliminate visa requirement

The government adopted the draft law "On ratification of the Agreement on mutual elimination of the visa requirement for persons holding regular passports between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the People's Republic of China".

Deputy Foreign Minister Artak Apitonyan, the keynote speaker, said: "Our interstate relations with China have steadily grown in recent years, dynamics of development both in political, economic and cultural spheres, the parties have expressed mutual interest to further deepen cooperation, especially through the promotion of tourism and personal contacts."

He told the prime minister that his agreement was reached during his visit to China. Artak Apitonyan mentioned that in case of acceptance of the agreement citizens of Armenia and China will be exempted from visa for 90 days.

"We can say that this year we have a lot of positive changes in tourism. According to the data of the first six months, tourists from Armenia have spent more than $ 120 million more than the previous year, "the Prime Minister said and told the director of the National Security Service and the Chief of Police that the legal order is also very important for the health of tourists in the country.

"Both citizens and tourists need to feel safe and this is a very important precondition for the further development of tourism," he said.

Pashinyan asked CB Chairman Artur Javadyan to present data from the tourism industry.

"The growth of money in 2018 In comparison with 2019, food prices have grown by 75%, hotels have 32% growth, 22% growth in cashing transactions, 32% growth in tourism cooperation, etc. ", - said Javadyan.

The prime minister said: "The important thing here is that the data presented here are quite trustworthy because they are also based on the performance and system comparisons of e-cards issued abroad."

With this in mind, the Prime Minister inquired about Finance Minister Atom Janjughazyan. "Why are you smiling mysteriously, Mr. Janjughazyan?"

Janjughazyan said that this is not enough, because he can have an example from these cards.

Javadyan mentioned that his data was not conditioned only by that factor. "Mr. Janjughazyan, studies are being conducted, how many tourists have entered the country? Ten factors have been used, one of which is the cards issued abroad, "he said.

The prime minister joked. "And why Mr. Janjughazyan has a card issued abroad, this is a separate issue to be addressed."

Janjughazyan replied: "I said, I can have but I do not have it."

Artak Apitonyan, returning to the project, said that China has already begun the visa liberalization process. He noted that it is envisaged to finish the process in a month and will enter into force on the date of notification of the parties.