COOPERATION WITH JAPAN IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

YEREVAN, October 26. /ARKA/. Armenia attaches importance to the
development of cooperation with Japan, RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan stated at his meeting with the newly appointed Japanese
Ambassador to Armenia Yasuo Saito (residence in Moscow).

"Armenia’s authorities attach importance to consistent development of
relations with Japan – one of the Asian-Pacific region, considering
its contribution to stability in the world assistance the developing
countries," Margaryan said.

He congratulated Ambassador Yasuo Saito on his appointment, assuring
him that the Armenian Government will support all his initiatives
toward Armenian-Japanese cooperation.

Margaryan added that since Armenia and Japan established diplomatic
relations in 1992, Japanese Ambassadors have exerted great efforts
toward the consolidation of friendly relations and development of
bilateral political, economic and cultural cooperation.

Margaryan said that Armenia is grateful for Japanese aid both at the
official level and by means of international financial organizations.

Margaryan gave assurances that join technical projects and grant
programs in the cultural and educational spheres, as well as soft
credit programs in such spheres as agriculture, small and medium
business, community infrastructure, energy, healthcare are aimed at
facilitating economic reforms in Armenia.

The RA Premier singled out the agreement on the allocation of a
$150mln soft credit for modernization and renovation of the Yerevan
TPP, welcoming the Japanese Government’s intention to implement two
new grant programs in rural communities.

Margaryan also pointed out that the development of Armenia’s rural
areas, especially the borderland, is one of the priorities of
Armenia’s economic policy, because the poverty level is relatively
high in those regions.

Margaryan pointed out good preconditions for the development of
bilateral cooperation, pointing out that during a visit paid to Japan
by an Armenian delegation headed by him in 2005 the sides signed an
intergovernmental agreement on technical cooperation. An Armenian
pavilion was also opened at the "EXPO 2005"exhibition in Aichi.

In his turn, Ambassador Saito pointed out limited natural resources
and serious intellectual potential as a common feature of both
countries. He said that effective use of this potential can result
in great achievements.

The sides also pointed out the importance of cooperation in the
international arena.