OREANDA-NEWS. On May 26, 2008 President Serzh Sarkissian received the Ambassador of Japan to Armenia, H.E. Yasuo Saito (residence in Moscow), reported the Official website http://news.president.am.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of bilateral cooperation and noted that with the establishment of diplomatic relations the relations between Armenia and Japan have been developing upward. President Sarkissian said that next year Armenia plans to open a diplomatic representation in Tokyo, which will become a serious impetus for the further development of bilateral relations.

The parties agreed that Armenia and Japan, both being countries with scare natural resources, have one common advantage – high intellectual level of their population and high quality human potential.

Serzh Sarkissian valued programs of technical assistance implemented by Japan in Armenia, as well as different loan and grant projects which encompass areas of vital importance for our country. He mentioned in particular the energy area. The Ambassador of Japan informed that he arrived to Armenia to sign an agreement on providing additional financing for the technical reconstruction of the Yerevan thermo-power station.

He also informed that the Government of Japan decided to present the Yerevan conservatory with musical instruments. In addition he said that starting next year Armenian students will have an opportunity to study in Japan.

The two sides discussed also the possibility of enhancing cooperation in international organizations.