In the framework of the working trip to Tokyo, the Armenian delegation headed by Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov had a meeting today with Japan-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship League members. Questions regarding Armenian-Japanese inter-parliamentary relations were discussed, attention being attached to the necessity of reciprocal visits with the view of boosting the dialogue and developing programs of mutual interest.

Eduard Sharmazanov awarded Japan-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship League President Seishiro Eto, Deputy President Takeaki Matsumoto, as well as group member and Japanese FM Minoru Kiuchi with the Armenian Parliament Speaker Medals for their contribution to the strengthening and deepening of the Armenian-Japanese ties. ԱԺ

The same day the Armenian delegation had a meeting with Akira Muto, Ambassador and Japanese Embassy Special Representative for Central Asia and the Caucasus affairs.   The interlocutors touched on the domestic policy developments in Armenia and Japan, perspectives of expanding bilateral trade and economic ties, as well as questions on closer cooperation in international organizations. The parties also exchanged ideas concerning regional and international issues.

Upon the request of Ambassador Akira Muto, the Armenian side touched on the Armenian-Turkish relations and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The head of the Armenian delegation condemned Armenia’s illegal blockade by Turkey, stressing that Turkey is wrong in linking the opening of the Armenian –Turkish border with the normalization of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He also said that the conflict must be normalized exclusively through the OSCE Minsk Group format, on the basis of the well-known principles, while Turkey has nothing to do there.

Sharmazanov qualified Azerbaijan’s actions unacceptable, noting that they are not in line with the general spirit of the negotiation process, contradicting the statements and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs. 

The Armenian delegation includes Armenia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group Samvel Farmanyan and Group Member Alexander Arzumanyan. The parliamentary delegation was accompanied by Hrant Poghosyan, Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan.