JAPAN APPRECIATES THE PROCESS OF ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION

armradio.am
26.11.2009 12:12

While in Tokyo, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a
meeting with his Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada. At the meeting,
the two Ministers discussed a wide range of issues, including the
bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest.

Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing political dialogue
and economic relations between Japan and Armenia, through identifying
and encouraging mutually beneficial initiatives in various areas of
cooperation. To this end, both sides decided to hold regular bilateral
consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries in
order to discuss a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations
and all aspects of other international issues of common interest.

The parties also referred to the importance of enhancing cooperation
between the two Parliaments of the two countries.

Both sides underlined the importance of contacts between the business
circles of the two countries including reciprocal visits in order
to facilitate trade and investments between the two countries and
expressed expectations that the business relations would be further
strengthened. The Armenian side appreciated the activities of Japanese
companies in Armenia and welcomes the expansion of their presence.

The interlocutors shared the view that the strengthening of people-to-
people and cultural exchange between the two countries is an important
factor in fostering mutual understanding and decided to enhance
cooperation in the field of science and education.

The Armenian side expressed its gratitude for the Official Development
Assistance (ODA) consistently provided by Japan for the economic
development of Armenia including the Japanese ODA loan of "Yerevan
Combined Cycle Co-generation Power Plant", and Grant Assistance for
Underpriviledged Farmers and the Project for Improvement of Fire
Fighting Equipment in Yerevan City, expressed its expectation for
the continuation of this cooperation.

The sides exchanged their views on the efforts to settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group process and
expressed support for the peaceful solution of the conflict based
on the principles and norms of the international law, including the
principles of Non-Use of force, Self-Determination of Peoples and
Territorial Integrity.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Japan exchanged their views of
Armenian-Turkish normalization process. The Japanese side welcomed
the efforts aimed at normalization of the relations between Armenia
and Turkey shown in signing of Armenian- Turkish protocols in Zurich
on October 10, 2009, and underlines the importance of ratification
and implementation of the reached agreements which would lead to the
peace and stability in the region.

Both sides expressed their expectations for close cooperation at
UN bodies and international organizations by maintaining balanced
approach for the sake of enduring security, lasting peace and common
prosperity in Europe and the Asia-Pacific Region. Both sides further
expressed their determination to work together actively for an early
realization of the United Nations Security Council reform, including
the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In
this connection, the Armenian side reiterated its strong support for
Japan’s permanent membership of the Security Council., and in return
the Japanese side expressed its deep appreciation for the support.