The signing and Exchange of Notes between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Armenia for the Project for Improvement of Fire Fighting Equipment and Press conference on occasion of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Armenia

1. On September 6, the signing ceremony of exchange of notes between Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Armenia for the Project for Improvement of Fire Fighting Equipment took place at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Armenia.

 
Grant Agreement has been signed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, H.E. Eiji Taguchi and Minister of Emergency Situations of Republic of Armenia, H.E. David Tonoyan. On signing ceremony from Armenia participated; Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Edward Nalbandian, Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shavarsh Kocharyan, Mr. Ashot Hovakimyan, Mr. Armen Papikyan and Mr. Robert Harutyunyan, Head of Department of Asia, Pacific Ocean and Africa, Mr. Areg Hovhannisyan.
 
Through this cooperation the Government of Japan will grant the amount of up to 1.54 billion Japanese Yen, for the purpose of acquiring fire trucks for the technical replenishment of rescue subdivisions of Shirak, Lori and Syunik marzes, which are the priority areas of disaster prevention in Armenia.
 
The fight against disasters is a priority area for Armenia because natural disasters occur frequently, which is an obstacle for the development of the rural areas.
 
Especially in the regions, while forest fires are frequent due to the slash and burn agriculture, there are shortage of fire equipment which is suitable for sloping road and urban area. Besides, many of fire equipment become old, less functional with lack of safety, which hinders prompt firefighting and leads to increase of losses.
 
This cooperation is expected to improve the country's firefighting activities, which will contribute to strengthening the disaster prevention.
 

2. Following the signing ceremony, a press conference was held, during which Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, H.E. Eiji Taguchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Edward Nalbandian and Ministser of Emergency Situations of Republic of Armenia, H.E. Mr. David Tonoyan had speeches.

In his speech, Ambassador Taguchi touched upon the simplification of visa requirements to Japan for the citizens of Armenia and substantial agreement that has been reached on the main text of Bilateral Investment Agreement. He attached importance to the cooperation in the field of DRR, also underlined the importance of bilateral relations based on the two countries people to people cooperation.
 
Foreign Minister Nalbandian touched upon the decision of the Government of Armenia on exemption of visa requirements for the citizens of Japan, as well as the conclusion of the negotiations on the investment agreement between Japan and Armenia and highlighted the efforts of the two countries for successful cooperation in the new fields.
In the end, Minister of Emergency Situations Mr. Tonoyan expressed his deep gratitude for the assistance provided by Japan for this time and in the past in the sphere of DRR.
 

Links:
About Signing of the Grant Agreement under the "Yerevan Fire Fighting Equipment Program"
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/21/2/1187819_1092.html

About substantial agreement that has been reached on the main text of Bilateral Investment Agreement between japan and Armenia
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/press4_005003.html