Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharian on Wednesday jointly condemned the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation "in combating terrorism at all levels."
In their joint statement released after their talks at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, the two leaders also agreed to strengthen both nations' export control systems to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, according to a Foreign Ministry official.
Kocharian meanwhile called on Koizumi not to cut the amount of Japan's official development assistance for the Caucasus nation, which became independent in 1991. He also supported Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the official said.
Kocharian began his four-day visit Wednesday, the first ever trip to Japan by an Armenian president. The leader of the former Soviet Union republic is expected to meet Japanese business and political leaders during his stay.