ID :
166561
Tue, 03/08/2011 - 14:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/166561
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Japan, Serbia agree to boost people exchanges, seek U.N. reform
TOKYO, March 8 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Serbian President Boris Tadic agreed Tuesday that the two countries will boost interpersonal exchanges by easing visa requirements and work toward reforming the U.N. Security Council.
Kan and Tadic signed a joint statement after their talks, in which Japan pledged to support Serbia's accession to the European Union and the former war-torn nation backed Tokyo's bid for nonpermanent membership of the U.N. Security Council for two years from 2016.
The two leaders took note of growing business opportunities in Serbia, which has free trade agreements with economies such as the European Union, Russia and Turkey.
After the signing ceremony, Kan told reporters that Tokyo values highly Belgrade's efforts to promote reconciliation with its neighbors and expressed Japan's readiness to strengthen political and economic cooperation with Serbia.
The premier also said Japan will extend its first yen loan worth around 28.2 billion yen to Serbia to prevent air pollution and improve energy efficiency by constructing desulphurization equipment at a thermal power plant in the country.
''I hope Serbian people will make the most of Japan's experience of overcoming environmental pollution and achieving economic growth,'' Kan said.
As for visa conditions, Kan welcomed the short-stay visa waiver for Japanese nationals currently implemented by Serbia and confirmed Tokyo's decision to exempt visa requirements for short stays in Japan by Serbian nationals with valid biometric passports from May 1.
Tadic expressed gratitude for Japan's past aid for the reconstruction of Serbia totaling more than 200 million euros and said his country will utilize Japan's advanced technologies in realizing its economic growth.
In the joint statement, the two shared the view that further improvement of the investment environment in Serbia would promote foreign investment. Tadic said Serbia will create an area offering preferential treatment and especially called for Japanese investment in energy and infrastructure projects.
Prior to the summit talks, State Foreign Secretary Yutaka Banno met with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who is accompanying Tadic, at the Foreign Ministry.
Jeremic said he expects the two countries will enhance exchanges in the areas of education and research, while Banno said Japan will continue to support Serbia, which is key to the peace and stability of the Western Balkans, according to Japanese officials.
Kan and Tadic signed a joint statement after their talks, in which Japan pledged to support Serbia's accession to the European Union and the former war-torn nation backed Tokyo's bid for nonpermanent membership of the U.N. Security Council for two years from 2016.
The two leaders took note of growing business opportunities in Serbia, which has free trade agreements with economies such as the European Union, Russia and Turkey.
After the signing ceremony, Kan told reporters that Tokyo values highly Belgrade's efforts to promote reconciliation with its neighbors and expressed Japan's readiness to strengthen political and economic cooperation with Serbia.
The premier also said Japan will extend its first yen loan worth around 28.2 billion yen to Serbia to prevent air pollution and improve energy efficiency by constructing desulphurization equipment at a thermal power plant in the country.
''I hope Serbian people will make the most of Japan's experience of overcoming environmental pollution and achieving economic growth,'' Kan said.
As for visa conditions, Kan welcomed the short-stay visa waiver for Japanese nationals currently implemented by Serbia and confirmed Tokyo's decision to exempt visa requirements for short stays in Japan by Serbian nationals with valid biometric passports from May 1.
Tadic expressed gratitude for Japan's past aid for the reconstruction of Serbia totaling more than 200 million euros and said his country will utilize Japan's advanced technologies in realizing its economic growth.
In the joint statement, the two shared the view that further improvement of the investment environment in Serbia would promote foreign investment. Tadic said Serbia will create an area offering preferential treatment and especially called for Japanese investment in energy and infrastructure projects.
Prior to the summit talks, State Foreign Secretary Yutaka Banno met with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who is accompanying Tadic, at the Foreign Ministry.
Jeremic said he expects the two countries will enhance exchanges in the areas of education and research, while Banno said Japan will continue to support Serbia, which is key to the peace and stability of the Western Balkans, according to Japanese officials.
