Armenia-Japan parliamentary group members meet with Japanese ambassador

On Friday, Samvel Farmanyan, Chairman of the Armenia-Japan parliamentary friendship group, as well as the group members Artsvik Minasyan, Samvel Grigoryan, Manvel Grigoryan Sedrak Saroyan and Levon Zurabyan held a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Armenia Tikahito Harada.Mr Farmanyan welcomed the Japanese ambassador's visit to Armenia's parliament and noted that the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's visit to Japan several months ago raised the level of bilateral relations.The friendship group members expressed hope that Armenian-Japanese parliamentary ties will be developing as favorable conditions are available. Mr Safaryan invited his Japanese counterparts to visit Armenia and conveyed the invitation through Mr Tikahito Harada.Mr Farmanyan recalled the Japanese government's humanitarian aid to Armenia after the devastating earthquake in 1988. On behalf of Armenia's parliament, he expressed gratitude and pointed out the importance of the opening of Japan's embassy in Armenia for developing bilateral relations.Mr Tikahito Harada expressed his willingness to convey the Armenian MPs' wishes, noting that the opening of an embassy in Armenia involves some financial problems. He expressed gratitude to the Armenian government for its support to Japan after the earthquake and resultant tsunami.The sides also touched on a number of regional problems. Mr Farmanyan commended Japan's balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.With respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ambassador Tikahito Harada stressed that Japan is supportive of the OSCE Minsk Group's efforts and sees only a peaceful settlement of the conflict in conformity with international standards.The sides also touched on the transfer of Azeri officer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan. The Japanese ambassador expressed hope that Armenia will restore diplomatic ties with Hungary.    Read more... (267 words)

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