National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic Meets with Japanese Ambassador

National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic said how pleased he was with the progress made in bilateral relations in recent years, as evidenced by the intensive political dialogue and high-level visits, including a very successful visit of then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Serbia. In addition to good political relations, the development of economic cooperation is of special importance for Serbia, and especially Japanese investments which have been increasing in recent years, Ivica Dacic pointed out. He sadi he was ready to continue working in his capacity as National Assembly Speaker on furthering and improving the relations between the two countries through parliamentary cooperation.

Ambassador Katsumata thanked the National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic for the strong contribution he, as Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and finally Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave to the strengthening of relations between Serbia and Japan, adding that he was confident he would continue to contribute to the improvement of cooperation between the two countries in his new position. He agreed that the relations are moving in a good direction and that we should work on strengthening all types of cooperation. He stressed that there is interest in Japan in investing into Serbia, as evidenced by the investments of Japanese companies Toyo Tires and Nidec.

Ambassador Katsumata praised Serbia's activities in the fight against the pandemic and the successfully organised vaccination process and informed the host about Japan's activities in preparation for the summer Olympics.

The officials agreed that it is necessary to intensify contacts as soon as conditions allow and to soon organise an exchange of visits of the heads of parliament and representatives of the parliamentary friendship groups.