On June 17, Gyumri mayor Samvel Balasanyan received Eiji Taguchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Armenia. In his welcoming speech, the mayor Samvel Balasanyan congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment, emphasizing the need for the diplomatic necessity for deepening the Armenian-Japanese relations. Gyumri mayor highlighted the importance of cooperation in seismic sphere, as well as talked about becoming a sister city with one of the Japanese cities and about its further cooperation. In his turn Eiji Taguchi thanked for the warm reception ensuring his support for creating and strengthening of ties in various spheres of cooperation and expressed his willingness to assist in the implementation of the programs. During the meeting they discussed also the issues of bilateral interest.