Minister of Emergency Situations of Armenia Davit Tonoyan, Japanese Ambassador to Armenia Eiji Taguchi, and Governor of Lori province, Artur Nalbandyan, on Saturday honored the memory of the earthquakes which hit Japan and Armenia’s town of Spitak in 2011 and 1988 respectively.  They laid flowers at the cross-stones installed in the central square of Spitak.

Ambassador Taguchi thanked the Armenian Government and people for providing invaluable support to Japan after the earthquake in 2011, noting that the Japanese people are indeed touched by the friendly treatment of Armenia and highly appreciate the installment of the cross-stone.

“I thank the Governor of Spitak and the town residents for attending the annual ceremony of paying tribute [to the victims]. Since the Spitak earthquake in 1988, Japan has been cooperating within the framework of disaster prevention events. On this occasion I would like to thank Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations Davit Tonoyan and his staff for the support and cooperation,” the Ambassador said.

Mr Tonoyan, for his part, told journalists: “Paying tribute to the memory of the Japanese earthquake victims is another opportunity for us to welcome and stress the efficiency and significance of our cooperation with the Japanese Government. It is highly appreciated and will certainly continue.”

Lori governor Artur Nalbandyan noted that having experienced the consequences of Spitak earthquake, Armenia perceived the pain of the Japanese people in a unique way, providing support to them. He also underscored the active cooperation formed between the governments of the two states, which is apparent and tangible also in the provincial and community life.

In March 2011, a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit, claiming about 20,000 lives across the swathes of the country’s eastern coast.