On November 25, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian arrived in Tokyo for an official visit.

The first meeting of Armenian Foreign Minister in Tokyo was with Takahiro Yokomichi, speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives.

Welcoming Armenian Foreign Minister, Takahiro Yokomichi described Armenian-Japanese relations as friendly and expressed hope that the visit of Armenian Foreign Minister to Tokyo will stimulate the development of Armenian-Japanese relations.

Expressing his gratitude to Japanese Speaker for the meeting, Armenian Foreign Minister stated, that Armenia gives great importance for consolidation and widening of comprehensive relations with Japan, one of the leading countries of the world and the main goal of his visit is to discuss the ways of development of bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting of the speaker of Japanese parliament and Armenian Foreign Minister the two touched upon the cooperation of two parliaments. In this context Minister Nalbandian informed, that in Armenian National Assembly a parliamentary friendship group is already established and Armenian side is waiting for the formation of a Japanese part of the group in the new parliament for the establishment of cooperation between legislative bodies.
The two exchanged views on international issues, touched upon the problems of the Pacific and Caucasian regions.

Takahiro Yokomichi welcomed Armenia’s efforts to improve its relations with Turkey and establish peace in the region. He expressed the confidence that the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations will be beneficial for the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

The next meeting of Armenian Foreign Minister was with his counterpart Katsuya Okada, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Greeting Edward Nalbandian, Minister Okada said, that Armenian Foreign Minister is his first high-ranked guest from Caucasus region, since he took his office two months ago and it is a good occasion to discuss the ways of development of bilateral cooperation.

Armenian Foreign Minister congratulated Katsuya Okada on his appointment as the Foreign Minister and thanked to him for invitation to visit Tokyo. Head of Armenian diplomacy noted that development of relations with Japan, which has a significant role on the international scene, is an important direction for Armenia and he has arrived to Tokyo for map out ways of stepping up bilateral cooperation in various areas. In this sense, Minister Nalbandian stated that Armenia intends to open diplomatic representatives in Tokyo.

Minister Nalbandian presented main directions and priorities of Armenian foreign policy.

Ministers discussed strengthening of cooperation in international organizations, development of interaction in scientific and cultural areas, establishment of legal field, intensification of cultural exchanges and issues concerning visa facilitation.
During the negotiations, the two touched upon the negotiations on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) issue. Minister Nalbandian presented to his Japanese counterpart the results of the meeting of Armenian an Azerbaijani presidents in Munich. Minister Okada stressed, that Japan supports the negotiation process in the framework of the Minsk Group and resolution of the issue exceptionally by peaceful means and according to the principles of international law.

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Japan exchanged the views on questions of regional and international agenda, underling that there are no disagreements between two states, contrary Armenian and Japanese positions coincide on number of issues. A detailed discussion on the issues of  Asia-Pacific region, Korean peninsula and peace efforts in Afghanistan took place.

Minister Okada expressed support of Japan to the steps undertaken for normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and expressed hope that signed protocols will be ratified and implemented, which would lead to the peace and stability in the region.

The Armenian Foreign Minister invited his Japanese counterpart to visit Armenia.

After ministerial meeting Edward Nalbandian and Katsuya Okada exchanged notes on the delivery of equipment for restoring the collections of the Armenian National Gallery.

Minister Nalbandian’s agenda in Japan includes also an economic component. In Tokyo Armenian Foreign Minister visited Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), where he had a meeting with the President of the organization Yasuo Hayashi and discussed the opportunities for developing bilateral trade and economic relations, presented Armenian investment environment and fields.

Yasuo Hayashi presented the activity of his organization and said that the organization is interested in establishment and development of ties with its Armenian counterparts. The two reached an arrangement on company’s representative visit to Yerevan in order to establish contacts with Armenian businessmen and discuss areas of cooperation.

Tomorrow Armenian Foreign Minister will be received by Crown  Prince Narohito, and the deliver a speech on Armenian Foreign Policy in Japan’s institute of international relations.

For Joint Press Statement click here