President Armen Sarkissian: One of the avenues to turn our potential into reality is cooperation with the world’s best

President Armen Sarkissian responded to the questions of the journalist from Shant TV company.

“The Armenian-Japanese cooperation has greater potential than we are using today,” President Sarkissian said who is in Japan on a working visit, responding to the question of the journalist on the Armenian-Japanese relations. “Both countries appreciate the bilateral relations, both countries went through difficult times, both are very ancient peoples, share certain values, qualities, share historical past,” the President noted. “It was very obvious even today, at our meeting with the Prime Minister, as well as during previous meetings with other partners.”

President Sarkissian said that the Armenian-Japanese relations have many dimensions. The two countries are cooperating in different formats which, according to the President, is important but not sufficient because the Armenian-Japanese relations have deep roots and can move forward fast.

“I believe it is significant for us to concentrate our attention on certain areas,” the President underscored. “First, the two countries are located in the regions which are prone to natural disasters, earthquakes. It means that for both countries it is essential to know beforehand, to forecast the possibility of such occurrences. Certainly, it is very difficult to forecast something which comes from nature but it can be possible thanks to new technologies.” The President added that the two countries can successfully cooperate especially in the areas of natural disaster management, nuclear safety and waste management, discuss opportunities for conducting research related to nuclear fuel, separation of contaminated waters. Stressing the importance of cooperation in the prediction of natural disasters and notification in time the public, President Armen Sarkissian said, “On this issue we again go back to artificial intelligence and management of large volumes of information on which Japan is among the leading countries of the world.”

Speaking of his visit, Armen Sarkissian noted that the purpose of the visit was not only to participate at the enthronement ceremonies of the new Emperor, which is a historic event in itself. “My other objective was to hold meetings in the state structures of Japan and in large Japanese companies which are working in the area of mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence and process of large volumes of information. Each of these three areas has its application in all spheres of our lives, however Armenia and Japan can choose one particular area related to environment, natural disasters, earthquakes, and nuclear safety. Both Japan and we are interested in the resolution of these issues, thus they too, will be interested in cooperation with us in these areas, considering the fact that potential for work on these three direction is present in Armenia.” President Sarkissian said that Armenia could have the best technologies but we need to work hard, to have a precise program, resources, manpower, including the Armenians living abroad who are specialists of the area or became successful in other areas.

“We need to make Armenia attractive for foreigners. We need to be totally engaged in all areas, in all developments which are going on in the world,” the President underscored. “We should work with all – the Americans, Europeans, Russians, Chinese, Indians, and certainly, Japanese. We need to turn into reality potential which we possess, and one of the avenues to achieve that is cooperation with the best in the world.” The President noted that the sides still need to learn more about each other.

“Dialogue with the Japanese companies is still at the initial stage, we need to learn about each other, find partners. In the process, we need to consider not only Armenian companies but probably also the Armenians who govern international companies, and engage them too,” Armen Sarkissian said. “It is essential what we can offer people, and having access to the sea or huge fleet is not critical at this point. But it is necessary to have the tools of virtual companies which create great ideas. Today, we have only made the first step on that road. The good news is that everyone is stepping on the new road now, regardless of how powerful is one’s potential.” According to the President, today not only we but the entire world stands at the crossroad of a new era.

“To turn our potential into reality we all need to work, including president, government, Armenian business, educational system,” the President noted. “All should make their contribution. I am trying to make mine, considering the fact that I know many people personally and present to the Japanese companies potential of cooperation with the Armenian firms.” Responding to the question on the enthronement of the Emperor of Japan, President Sarkissian said that it was a historic event and the history of the Empire and the institute of Emperor provide the country not only with historical succession but also with the sense of stability.

“It is very important that any country within itself has pillars of statehood, because every state is going through changes, developments, problems, and trials, and it is significant to have institutes within the state, which regardless of internal or external problems, remain stable and maintain statehood,” the President underscored. “Stable statehood is the base for future development with regard to investments, political developments, and balance, and with other regards. Strong pillars are essential for the state to remain stable. In case of Japan, it is the institute of Emperor. This country has been able to preserve stable statehood for 2000 years, which means we probably have something to learn from them.”