On October 26 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, received Mr. Yasuo Saito, newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Armenia.

The Ambassador noted that though Armenia and Japan are geographically far from each other, but being the sixth Ambassador of Japan to Armenia, he aims to develop relations between two countries continuing the traditions of cooperation. The Ambassador also mentioned that the Japanese as well as the Armenians have a lot of commonness: centuries-long rich cultural heritage, beautiful country and lack of natural resources, when the human resource remains the only natural one. And skillful use of them can lead to great successes in the modern world. The Ambassador noted that though on the eve of the RA President’s official visit to Japan the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Armenia was established at the Parliament of Japan, but one of its problems is the development of inter-parliamentary relations.

Welcoming the Ambassador’s arrival in Armenia and wishing him a productive officiating, Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, expressed hope that he will promote the development of inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations. The President of the Parliament informed the Ambassador about the legislative activity of the National Assembly noting that the MPs had launched the work of bringing the Constitution into compliance with the legislative field. Those draft laws relate to all spheres of the political, public and economic life and have the aim to create opportunities for deepening democracy and developing further political and economic relations in the country. The NA President also touched upon the necessity to hold the upcoming general elections in accordance with democratic standards. He thanked the Ambassador of Japan for the assistance that the government of his country had rendered to Armenia. In response, Mr. Saito noted that his country is in the first place in providing other countries with economic assistance projects, and the Japanese highlight the addressing of that assistance. Being in Armenia for two days he had an opportunity to become assured in the productivity and right addressing of the joint projects, and he will do his best to continue these projects. Highlighting the importance of the elections for the development of democracy and the progress of the country, the Ambassador also touched upon the importance of the reforms, which had given an opportunity for the economic development of Armenia. Mr. Saito noted that the economic reforms are underway in Japan, which continues to carry out the newly appointed Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Abe. And the exchange of the experience in this sphere can become direction of cooperation.

The other issues were also touched upon during the meeting.