ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CONDUCTS MEETINGS IN JAPAN

ARMENPRESS
Nov 26, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan arrived November 25 in Tokyo on an official visit. Press and
Information department of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Armenpress
that in the capital of Japan the Armenian minister conducted the first
meeting with the parliament speaker Tokahiro Yakomich. The latter,
describing the Armenian-Japanese relations as friendly, expressed
hope that the visit of the Armenian foreign minister will give new
impetus to the development of Armenian-Japanese relations.

The Armenian minister said that Armenia highlights consolidation
and expansion of multi-lateral relations with Japan and said that
the aim of his visit is to discuss ways of development of bilateral
cooperation.

The interlocutors also discussed issues on promoting cooperation
between the parliaments of the two countries. In this pre-context
Edward Nalbandyan informed that in the Armenian parliament already an
Armenian-Japanese friendship group has been formed and the Armenian
side is waiting for the formation of such group in the newly-elected
Japanese government.

The Japanese parliament speaker highlighted Armenia’s efforts toward
normalization of relations with Turkey and establishment of peace in
the region, expressing confidence that the normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey will have positive impact on the regulation
of the Karabakh conflict.

Armenian foreign minister also met with his Japanese counterpart Kazuya
Okada. The Armenian minister noted that the development of partnership
with a country which has an important role in different arenas is an
important direction for Armenia and he arrived in Tokyo to point out
the directions of cooperation. In this respect the Armenian minister
said that Armenia is planning to establish permanent representation
in Tokyo.

During the meeting the sides discussed a number of regional,
international issues, cooperation in international organizations,
formation of legal-agreement field between the two countries, bilateral
cooperation in educational, scientific, cultural and other spheres.

The Japanese minister expressed support to the steps directed toward
the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and expressed hope
that the signed protocols will be ratified and be implemented which
will promote the establishment of peace in the region.

Armenian minister invited his Japanese counterpart to visit Armenia.

Besides the political agenda, the visit of the Armenian foreign
minister to Japan has an economic element. In Tokyo Edward Nalbandyan
visited the Japanese Foreign Trade Organization where he met with its
chairman Yasuo Hayashi and discussed opportunities of development
of trade-economic cooperation between the two countries, presented
Armenia’s investment field and spheres.

As a result of the meeting an arrangement has been reached that a
representative of the company visits Armenia to establish ties with
partners and to discuss cooperation ways.

The Armenian minister is also expected to meet with the Japanese throne
heir Narohito as well as deliver speech at the Japanese International
Relations Institute.