Joint Statement on Friendship and Partnership
between Japan and the Republic of Armenia


Tokyo, December 19, 2001



Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi and President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharian, on the occasion of President Kocharian's official visit to Japan, guided by the desire to develop and deepen friendly relations, issued the following statement concerning the framework for future relationship between the two countries.

Both sides reached a common recognition that they will build their bilateral relationship in the spirit of mutual respect, trust and equal partnership on the basis of respect and support for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other. Both sides pointed out the necessity of the development of their bilateral relationship based on the mutual interests in political, economic, cultural and other fields.

Considering that the expansion of political dialogue between the two Governments is a beneficial and effective way of developing the bilateral relationship, both sides affirmed the importance of exchanging views on various matters of mutual interest, including international and regional issues. Both sides expressed the intention to hold consultations through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on bilateral and international issues.

Both sides recognized the importance of supporting efforts for further development of Central Asian and Transcaucasian region as a trans-Eurasian corridor. Both sides confirmed the intention to make necessary efforts to strengthen cooperation and stability in the Eurasian Region.

Both sides expressed their intention to cooperate actively within the United Nations and other international organizations. Both sides took note of the important role of the United Nations for international peace, stability and prosperity, and stressed the need for the early realization of the United Nations reforms, in particular, the Security Council reform including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In this context, the Armenian side reiterated its support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

Taking into account, that the promotion of exchange between the parliaments of both countries would significantly contribute to the bilateral relationship, both sides reached a common recognition of the need to encourage inter-Parliamentary cooperation and contacts between legislative bodies of the two countries. In this regard, both sides welcomed the establishment of the Japan-Armenia and the Armenia-Japan Parliamentarians' Groups.

Both sides shared the view that they should promote mutual exchanges in such various fields as science and technology, culture, education and tourism. Both sides also emphasized the importance of the promotion of personnel exchanges.

Both sides expressed their intention to further strengthen the cooperation in the field of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation with a view to promoting international peace and security. In this regard, both sides expressed their will to endeavor for the early entry into force of the CTBT, strengthening of the BWC, and countering the proliferation of ballistic missiles, including through the establishment of multilateral norms. Japan and Armenia reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their domestic export control systems and contribute to international efforts in countering the proliferation of WMD.

Both sides condemned terrorist acts in all forms, regardless of the motives, and deemed it imperative to strengthen international cooperation at all levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive manner. In this regard, both sides unequivocally condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, which is a serious challenge to freedom and democracy, the fundamental values that the international society holds.

Both sides affirmed the importance of fostering an environment conducive to facilitating bilateral trade and economic relations, in view of the current state of these relations.

Both sides also affirmed the importance of exchanging information and views on financial and economic policies including the measures for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Both sides, bearing in mind that mutual exchanges in the economic field will contribute to the development of the two countries' overall relations, emphasized the importance of encouraging the development of such exchanges, including the holding of exhibitions and fairs. In this regard, both sides welcomed the successful holding of "The Three Countries of South Caucasus Exhibition" in Tokyo in June 2001.

Both sides emphasized the importance of creating favorable climate for the transition to a mutual beneficial economic cooperation, especially in such fields as information technologies, seismic protection, transportation, banking, industry, commerce and tourism, including the establishment of joint ventures.

Both sides recognized the importance of rehabilitation of historic "Silk Road", connecting Europe and Asia by the Transcaucasian corridor.

The Japanese side welcomed the efforts being made by the Armenian side for the successful implementation of economic reforms toward the market economy and expressed its intention to support these efforts.

Both sides recognized the importance of Japan's experiences of postwar economic development in supporting Armenia for its rehabilitation and transition towards a market economy. The Japanese side confirmed its willingness to share such experiences with Armenia in various areas by sending Japanese experts to Armenia and receiving Armenian trainees in Japan.

On this occasion the Armenian side expressed sincere gratitude to the Japanese side for providing official development assistance, in the form of Yen loan, grant and technical cooperation.