Prishtina, 19 July, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yoko Kamikawa, who is visiting our country for the first time, this visit is taking place on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kosovo. and Japan.
He welcomed them to Kosovo, to the capital, on this historic visit to our country, expressing his gratitude for Japan’s support, assistance and role in the world, in our region and the Republic of Kosovo, and said that he is looking forward to discussing and explore together the ways in which they can deepen and strengthen the excellent relations between the two countries.
Minister Kamikawa expressed her honor that she is the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan who is visiting Kosovo. At the beginning of the bilateral meeting, she expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Kurti’s visit and participation in the state funeral in honor of the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Minister Kamikawa emphasized that peace and stability are crucial for Europe and that her visit to the region, first to Serbia, then to Bosnia and Herzegovina and now to Kosovo, is in this function.
During the bilateral meeting between the two delegations, bilateral relations, cooperation and assistance projects and investment opportunities for Japanese companies, especially in the renewable energy sector and railway infrastructure, were discussed. The Prime
Minister singled out Japan’s support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in waste management, air pollution management and monitoring, and support for Kosovo’s public television. He thanked the State of Japan for the decision to waive visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and for the support in the field of defense through the training at the Ministry of Defense of Japan of the officer of the Security Forces in Kosovo. Among other things, he highlighted the success story of the Japanese company Harino Mushroom, which is one of the largest shiitake mushroom farms in Europe, as an example of the suitable environment for doing business in Kosovo, but also called for other Japanese companies that to consider Kosovo as an attractive and safe place for investments, with rule of law, institutional stability and democratic institutions.
Prime Minister Kurti and Minister Kamikawa also discussed regional issues, including relations with Serbia and the dialogue process, within which Prime Minister Kurti said that the Basic Agreement has been reached, but which from the beginning and continuously has been openly violated by Serbia. Also, they talked about the importance of regional cooperation in guaranteeing peace and security, and serving the development and progress of the Western Balkans.
In this meeting, Prime Minister Kurti was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers, Hekuran Murati.
Last modified: July 23, 2024