On June 14, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian received the delegation headed by Shinichi Kitaoka, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Greeting the guest, Armenian Foreign Minister underlined with satisfaction the sustainable development of the Armenian-Japanese relations in recent years, and noted that the opening of the Embassy of Armenia in Tokyo in 2010 and of the Embassy of Japan in Yerevan in 2015 contributed to that.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Shinichi Kitaoka noted, that the visit to Armenia is not a regular working trip, but a visit to a country with ancient civilization, which managed to keep its identity throughout millennia while going through many challenges. According to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the deep respect for literature, knowledge, traditions and hard-working unite our two peoples.

“It was very touching for me to visit Spitak and see the Memorial dedicated to the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It means, that our friendship is not limited to diplomatic relations, but spreads beyond, because we have supported each other in difficult times and shared each other's grief” - underlined Shinichi Kitaoka.

Minister Nalbandian noted, that the Armenian people deeply understand and share the grief of the Japanese people, and recalled the liturgy served by the Catholicos of All Armenians in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan, in 2011, in memory of victims of disaster in Japan, which was attended by the President of the Republic of Armenia, members of the Government, deputies of the National Assembly, representatives of the Armenian society.

Edward Nalbandian stressed, that it was symbolic, when in 2012 the President of Armenia started his official visit to Japan from the region affected by the disastrous earthquake and tsunami where he paid a tribute to the memory of victims.

The interlocutors touched upon the ongoing activities towards development and expansion of trade and economic relations between Armenia and Japan.

Edward Nalbandian expressed gratitude for the support aimed at development of Armenia provided since its independence through Japan International Cooperation Agency, as well as for the training in Japan of several hundred Armenian specialists from different spheres.

At the meeting, the views were exchanged on the ways of promoting the Armenian - Japanese cooperation in the areas of high technologies, science, education, prevention of disasters, infrastructure and tourism.

Minister Nalbandian briefed the guests about the priorities and main directions of the Armenian foreign policy.