Emphasising our two countries’ historically good relations, Snezana Paunovic stressed that Serbia has a friend in Japan, one that understands our difficult positions, despite the fact that our countries have not always been in full agreement on all issues. She also highlighted the importance of Japan in global politics as member of G7. Paunovic especially stressed that the Kosovo-Metohija issue is of particular importance for Serbia. She drew attention to our people’s difficult position in the southern Serbian province and the immeasurable injustice it has suffered, as well as our culture and tradition whose foundations derive from Kosovo-Metohija. Paunovic added that in Japan she sees a friend which will contribute to the dissemination and spread of truth.

Ambassador Akira Imamura said that we are globally facing difficult and complicated challenges, adding that Japan would like to contribute to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina mediated by the EU, in order to enable the normalisation relations. He opined that Pristina’s unilateral moves have a negative impact on the life on Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and that it is vital to protect the Serbian cultural heritage on its territory.

The participants of the meeting stressed how satisfied they were with the well-developed parliamentary relations, as well as the fact that Japan is among the top ten investors in Serbia. They agreed that there is room to develop economic cooperation and highlighted the importance of the coming visit of over 100 Japanese businessmen who will take part in the business forum in Serbia.

They also emphasised the importance of furthering cooperation in the fields of culture and agriculture.