Japan ready to continue to support Armenia

YEREVAN, May 4. / ARKA /. Japan is ready to continue assistance programs in Armenia, despite all the difficulties encountered, a deputy Japanese foreign minister Hisashi Tokunaga said today during a meeting with Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan.

"Togunaga thanked president Sargsyan for expressing condolences on the devastating earthquake in Japan and the kind words addressed to the Japanese people, assuring that despite all the difficulties, Japan is ready to continue the program of assistance to Armenia", the press service of the Armenian president said.

Togunaga noted it is his first visit to Armenia and he was sure that the meetings and discussions held within the framework of the visit will contribute to further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

In turn, the president of Armenia once again expressed condolences over the tragic earthquake in Japan on March 11, which has led to numerous victims and destruction, noting with regret that in 1988 the Armenian people also felt the terrible effects of a similar disaster.

"We admire the courage and resilience of the Japanese. Of course, we are closely following the efforts of the government of Japan in the aftermath of the Fukushima-1 disaster and are hopeful that you will be able to eliminate all the consequences, " the president said

Sargsyan expressed hope that this difficult period for Japan will not impede the work for enhancing bilateral relations, for which Armenia opened last June its embassy in Tokyo. -0-