President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić received today letters of credence from the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan, Takahiko Katsumata, who conveyed the message of Emperor Naruhito to the President. The Japanese emperor expressed sincere sympathies over the health situation in Serbia caused by the coronavirus and hopes for further improvement of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
President Vučić delivered his greetings and sent an invitation to the Japanese emperor to visit our country, emphasising that it would be an exceptional opportunity to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgrade and Tokyo.
Welcoming Ambassador Katsumata, President Vučić said that he was happy to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Toyo tires factory in Inđija next week, which testifies to the interest of Japanese investors in investing in the Serbian market, as well as their satisfaction with business conditions in our country. He also said that the importance of Japanese investments is reflected in the fact that they bring work ethic to Serbia, for which the Japanese are known.
The two interlocutors agreed that political dialogue and economic cooperation were gaining momentum after the visit of then-Prime Minister Abe, the first of its kind in three decades. President Vučić said that on that occasion, Abe showed understanding for the situation in Serbia and the region. He expressed the expectation that he would have the opportunity to host Prime Minister Suga.
Ambassador Katsumata said that Japan supports a united Europe and the reforms that are being carried out on the European path, primarily through the mechanism of cooperation with the Western Balkans, which was established by the then Prime Minister Abe after his visit to the region.
President Vučić expressed his gratitude for the various financial, material and technical assistance that Japan provides to Serbia, which has exceeded half a billion euros in the last twenty years.
VIDEO MATERIAL CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE FTP SERVER OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.
Belgrade,
11th December 2020
https://www.predsednik.rs/en/press-center/press-releases/president-vucic-receives-credentials-from-the-newly-appointed-ambassador-of-japan
