JAPAN TO AID ARMENIA IN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

AzerNews Weekly
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Japan is ready to expand its political and economic cooperation with
Armenia and assist Yerevan in resolving the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict and in further normalization of its strained relations with
Turkey, the two governments announced after talks on Wednesday.

"The sides highlighted the importance of expanding political dialog
and economic relations between Japan and Armenia by supporting
mutually beneficial initiatives in different areas of cooperation,"
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and his Armenian counterpart
Edward Nalbandian said in a joint statement seen by Russian state
news agency ITAR-TASS.

The Japanese government pledged to facilitate a peaceful Garabagh
settlement "based on the principles and norms of international law."

Tokyo also welcomed the process of reconciliation between Turkey
and Armenia, which began with the signing in Zurich on October 10 of
protocols on forging diplomatic ties and reopening their borders.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said Ankara could mend ties with
Yerevan and open the border only after the Garabagh conflict has been
fairly resolved.