Diplomacy

Japan, Serbia to Strengthen Political and Economic Cooperation

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Tokyo- (PanOrient News) Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Serbian President Boris Tadic agreed in Tokyo that the two countries will boost bilateral relations. Here is a Foreign Ministry outline of the summit meeting:

Japan-Serbia Summit Meeting (Outline)

On Tuesday, March 8, Prime Minister Naoto Kan held an official meeting with H.E. Mr. Boris Tadić, the President of the Republic of Serbia, and exchanged views on the enhancement of peace and stability in the Former Yugoslavia region, the enhancement of economic and other bilateral relationship, and closer cooperation on the global challenges and international issues of mutual interest. After the official meeting, the two leaders signed the “Japan-Serbia Joint Statement,” which covered a wide range of subjects including the enhancement of the bilateral ties, peace and stability in the region, and cooperation on global issues, followed by a joint press conference. They also had an exchange of views during the banquet hosted by Prime Minister Kan. An outline of the meeting is as follows.

1. Enhancement of peace and stability in the Former Yugoslavia region
(1) Prime Minister Kan expressed his high regard for the personal commitment of President Tadić to the promotion of dialogue and reconciliation. He also expressed his intention to support Serbia as it promotes dialogue and reconciliation with its neighboring countries as well as cooperation with the international community, while advancing democracy at home and making efforts to enter into the European Union (EU).

(2) President Tadić stated that Serbia respects the integrity of the territories of neighboring countries; that it is necessary to resolve regional issues peacefully; that Serbia is making efforts to enhance economic relationships within the region; and that the entry into the EU is Serbia’s most important goal.

2. Enhancement of the bilateral ties
(1) Prime Minister Kan expressed his intention to further advance the bilateral ties on the basis of the Joint Statement, which they signed on this occasion. President Tadić responded to this by expressing his happiness that the Japan-Serbia relationship has reached a new level.

(2) Prime Minister Kan conveyed to President Tadić the decision of the Government of Japan to extend, as the first Japanese yen loan, an amount of approximately 28.2 billion yen for “The Flue Gas Desulphurization Construction Project for Thermal Power Plant Nikola Tesla,” and expressed his hope that Japanese technologies and experiences, which were accumulated in the process of overcoming environmental pollution and achieving economic growth, would be utilized to contribute to the wellbeing of the Serbian people. Prime Minister Kan also informed President Tadić of the commencement of the visa waiver scheme for Serbian nationals would begin from May 1, and expressed his hopes for the expansion of people-to-people exchanges and the economic relationship.

(3) President Tadić expressed his deep gratitude for the two measures mentioned in the previous paragraph, and stated that the decision to provide the yen loan would make the protection of the health of the Serbian people possible and that the commencement of the visa requirement exemption would enable a wide range of economic, cultural, sport, and other exchanges.

(4) While expressing his respect for the economic growth achieved by the people of Japan and his gratitude for the assistance that Japan had provided to Serbia thus far, President Tadić stated that he would like to take this visit to Japan as an opportunity to bring the bilateral relations onto a higher level, given that next year will mark the 130th year since Japan and Serbia began their exchanges.

(5) President Tadić explained about specific areas and projects in Serbia such as infrastructure development, energy projects, and agriculture, expressing his expectation for the participation by Japanese companies.

3. Cooperation on global issues
(1) President Tadić expressed Serbia's support for the candidature of Japan to a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council at the elections to be held in 2015. The two leaders agreed on the necessity of the Security Council reform.

(2) President Tadić stated that he highly appreciated the important role that Japan is playing in addressing global issues such as climate change and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The two leaders shared the recognition that they would continue working in closer cooperation in the international arena.

(3) The two leaders also exchanged views on the regional situations of shared interest.

Photo: Prime Minister Naoto Kan held talks with Mr. Boris Tadic, President of the Republic of Serbia, at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.

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