President receives Japanese foreign minister Minoru Kiuchi

President Serzh Sargsyan today received the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Minoru Kiuchi.

Welcoming the dignitary, the President stressed the importance of frequent reciprocal visits to strengthening interstate ties and expressed satisfaction with the fact that in recent years, the relationship between Armenia and Japan has been developing dynamically, taking on a new meaning.

Serzh Sargsyan and State Minister Minoru Kiuchi attached great value to the opening of the Japanese embassy in Armenia on the 1st of January which, according to them, will greatly deepen the friendly relations between Armenia and Japan, thus broadening their collaboration agenda. The Armenian President noted that he warmly recalled his official visit to Japan in 2012 and the high-level agreements reached.

On behalf of the Japanese government and on his own behalf, Minoru Kiuchi extended his deepest sympathy to the Armenian President, the relatives of the victims and the entire people of Armenia over the Gyumri tragedy.

At the meeting, the interlocutors reflected upon regional issues and challenges, including the current stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, and the present concerns, talked about the Armenian Genocide centenary to be marked in the Republic of Armenia at state level this year, as well as exchanged views on contemporary international issues.

Aside from boosting bilateral relations, the RA President and the Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs also placed great importance on promoting cooperation within the framework of international organizations. They underscored that, in terms of expanding collaboration, the two countries should reinforce inter-parliamentary ties, promote humanitarian and cultural exchange and enlarge cooperation in a series of promising and mutually beneficial sectors.

Serzh Sargsyan extended his appreciation to the Government of Japan and its people for rendering considerable assistance to our country since independence, as well as for its readiness and continued commitment to deepening Armenian-Japanese relations.