In Japan President Serzh Sargsyan met with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda

President Serzh Sargsyan continues his official visit to Japan. Today, Serzh Sargsyan met with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Sargsyan expressed condolences on the demise of Prince Tomohito Mikasanoma.

The President of Armenia and Prime Minister of Japan discussed possibilities of the development of bilateral relations and expansion of cooperation in different areas. They mutually underlined that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Japan the relations between the two states have been developing in the atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Noda noted that cooperation of the two countries holds a great potential for development. Particularly the parties stressed the importance of cooperation in the area of disaster prevention, elimination of the consequences and exchange of experience. The areas of agriculture and industry were also noted among prospective spheres for cooperation.

The Prime Minister of Japan said that his country will be sharing with the international community its experience in the enhancement of the nuclear power stations safety; toward that end the parties mutually stressed the importance of cooperation between Armenia and Japan in this area.

At the meeting, the parties spoke also about the efficient cooperation in the framework of international organizations based on mutual assistance and underscored the importance of its continuity.

The sides noted with satisfaction that the Armenian-Japanese political dialogue has recently become more dynamic which is evidenced by the opening of the Armenian Embassy in Tokyo. They also stressed the importance of the establishing Embassy of Japan in Yerevan. The parties discussed also current issues in the South Caucasus and Asia Pacific regions, registering the common approach regarding their peaceful and negotiation-based resolution.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda signed a Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Armenia and the Prime Minister of Japan.

Tonight, the Prime Minister of Japan gave an official dinner in honor of the President of Armenia.

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Joint Statement on Further Deepening of Friendship and Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and Japan

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, paid an official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Government of Japan from June 5 to 7, 2012, held a summit meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda.

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan and the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda (hereinafter "both sides"),

Expressing satisfaction that long-term and extensive friendly relations between the Republic of Armenia and Japan have been developed since the establishment of diplomatic relations on September 7, 1992,

Confirming that the two countries have built bilateral relations in a spirit of mutual respect, trust and equal partnership and support for mutual independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the Joint Statement on Friendship between Japan and the Republic of Armenia on December 19, 2001,

Being confident that the visit of President Sargsyan this year commemorating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations, will further deepen friendship and partnership between the two countries,

Sharing the view that it is important to maintain peace and stability in the Caucasus Region, which is at the core of the junction of Asia and Europe,

Issued the following Joint Statement:

I General relations between the two countries

1. Both sides reaffirmed friendly ties and mutual trust that exist between the two countries and shared the view that the two countries will continue to elevate friendship and partnership in such fields as politics, economy, and culture to a higher stage this year, by taking the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

2. Both sides expressed satisfaction that mutual visits at various levels, including high-levels, and political dialogue between the two countries have progressed and expressed their intention to further promote political dialogues as valuable and effective means to develop bilateral relations.

3. Both sides welcomed that the Memorandum on Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia was signed. The Memorandum includes policy consultation on a wide range of topics such as regional and international issues and bilateral relations and promotion of cooperation in the field of mutual interest between the two countries.

4. Both sides, recognizing that the promotion of exchanges between the parliaments will contribute greatly to the development of relations between the two countries, expressed the hope that parliamentary exchanges, in particular, on the level of Armenia-Japan and the Japan-Armenia parliamentary friendship groups will be further strengthen.

5. Both sides reaffirmed that both countries are partners which share the basic values such as freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights, rule of law and market economy. The Japanese side appreciated that Armenia has made consistent efforts towards the establishment of these values since its independence. The Armenian side highly valued Japan’s support for Armenia’s efforts for developing a market economy, with an emphasis on infrastructure, advancement of human resources, rural and social sector development.

6. Both sides stressed the important role played by the resident embassies in deepening the friendship and partnership between the two countries. In this regard, Japanese side welcomed the opening of the Armenian Embassy in Tokyo. The Armenian side expressed its expectation that the Japanese side will open its embassy in Yerevan in the near future.

7. The Japanese side has dispatched its personnel to the Organization for Security and Co-operation /Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) Election Observation Mission for the Armenian parliamentary elections on May 6 this year. The Japanese side expressed its satisfaction that the latest parliamentary election was characterized by a competitive, vibrant and peaceful campaign as it was defined by ODHIR/OSCE.

II Cooperation in disaster prevention

1. The Japanese side expressed gratitude for the sympathy and support expressed by the Armenian government and people, including from President Sargsyan upon the Great East Japan Earthquake. In particular, the Japanese side expressed gratitude for the Requiem Service in Memory of the Japanese Victims of Earthquake and Tsunami held in Yerevan under the high auspices of President Sargsyan within the framework of the visit by Mr. Hisashi Tokunaga, then Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in May last year. The Japanese side expressed its determination to promptly achieve fast and efficient reconstruction.

2. Both sides, recalled with gratitude the mutual assistance made during the 1988 Armenia Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, in particular, the provision of construction machinery and the dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief Team, and the dispatch of emergency aid and the provision of donations by Armenia. Both sides shared the view to further strengthen cooperation in the field of disaster prevention measures. Both sides welcomed that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a Seminar on disaster prevention in Yerevan in January 2010 and recently released the interim report on earthquake prevention plan of Armenia through the Project on Seismic Risk Assessment and Risk Management Planning.

3. The Japanese side conveyed its intention to further promote assistance in disaster prevention for Armenia, which includes sending experts to Armenia as part of the technical assistance of JICA for human resource development in the field of disaster prevention. The Japanese side welcomed that the Armenian side expressed its intention to participate in “World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction in Tohoku”.

4. The Japanese side expressed its determination to share with the international community knowledge and lessons learned from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The Armenian side expressed its intention to strive to improve the safety of nuclear power plant in Armenia, taking advantage of knowledge gained and lessons learned from Japan. In this regard, the Japanese side expressed its expectation for the participation of a minister of Armenia in the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety to be held in December, 2012. The Armenian side expressed its readiness to participate in the said Conference.

III Economic cooperation

1. The Armenian side expressed appreciation to Japan’s ODA amounting to 41 billion in the form of Yen loans, grant aid and technical assistance and stressed that Japan’s assistance has helped Armenia’s efforts towards achieving a market economy and poverty reduction.

2. The Japanese side, recognizing that the development of local industry and promotion of small and medium size enterprises in the Republic of Armenia will contribute to the country’s sustainable economic growth, expressed its intention to further facilitate the local and industrial promotion through the Development Project of Brands and Local Products.

IV Economic relations

1. Both sides pointed out that trade and economic relations between the two countries have not been able to fully demonstrate their potential yet, and affirmed the importance of fostering an environment conducive to facilitating bilateral trade and economic relations. In this regard, both sides valued the Armenian Business Seminar for Japanese Companies held by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Club in Moscow and the Armenian business seminar for Japanese companies held by the Armenian Embassy in Tokyo. Both sides confirmed their intention to be continuously engaged in the development of bilateral trade and economic relations.

2. Both sides emphasized the importance of creating favorable climate for the transition to a mutually beneficial economic cooperation, especially in such fields as information technologies, seismic protection, transportation, banking, industry, commerce and tourism.

3. Both sides affirmed the importance of exchanging information and views on financial and economic policies including the measures for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

4. Both sides expressed their intention to promote the cooperation in exchanging financial information related to money laundering and terrorist financing and noted with satisfaction the ongoing discussions toward the signing of the appropriate document in the near future.

V Science and technology, cultural exchanges

1. Both sides expressed their intention to promote mutual exchanges in such fields as science and technology, culture and tourism.

2. Both sides shared the belief that various cultural events held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations will further promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

VI Cooperation in the international fora

1. Both sides stressed the importance of deepening and strengthening cooperation and mutual assistance in international organizations.

2. Both sides emphasized the importance of making efforts toward effective and early realization of the reform of the UN Security Council. In this context the Armenian side reiterated its support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

3. Both sides expressed their support to the UN Security Council Presidential Statement on 16 April 2012, which strongly condemned the launch of the missile by North Korea and demanded it not conduct any further provocation. They strongly urged North Korea to comply with the relevant UNSC Resolutions and its commitments under the 2005 Six Party Talks Joint Statement. The Japanese side stressed the importance of solving the abduction issue and the Armenian side took note of Japan’s position.

4. Both sides appreciate the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh and express confidence that a final settlement should be based on principles and norms of international law; the UN Charter; the Helsinki Final Act, principles of Non-Use of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and Self-Determination of Peoples.