The Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Aleksandar Martinović, PhD, spoke today with the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Serbia, Akira Imamura, about the continuation of project cooperation and future Japanese investments in cities and municipalities across Serbia.
Pointing out that one of the primary goals of the Ministry is to help underdeveloped municipalities to improve their local environments and the quality of life of their citizens, Martinović has thanked the Ambassador of Japan for his previous support in the implementation of projects at the local level. He has said that MDULS will continue to apply for funds from donor funds of the Government of Japan, with the aim of implementing new projects that would meet the basic and urgent needs of the population in all parts of Serbia.
In response to the statement of the Ambassador of Japan that the Republic of Serbia has made significant advances in all social areas in the past decade, Martinović has said that, thanks to the wise policy of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the continuous efforts of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, our country had transformed itself from a devastated country into one of the leaders in the region. He has thanked the Ambassador for the understanding that Japan shows for Serbia’s foreign policy, and emphasized that Serbia insists on peace, good neighbourly relations and the improvement of economic cooperation among the countries of the Western Balkans, which is supported by the fact that the regional initiative “Open Balkans” was launched precisely as a result of the idea of President Vučić.
Referring to the current situation in the southern Serbian province, Martinović has stressed that Belgrade is absolutely committed to dialogue with Priština and to the peaceful resolution of all open and disputed issues between Serbs and Albanians, but that the authorities in Priština have not shown interest in dialogue in the last few years, aside from using brute force against the unprotected Serbian people.
Ambassador Imamura has expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Serbia for friendly bilateral relations and long-term successful cooperation, as well as for continuously working to create a favourable business environment for the arrival of Japanese companies. He has pointed out that Japan shall continue with securing large investments in Serbia, which will in turn contribute to the development of the economy not only in our country, but also in the region.
Photo gallery – source: MDULS
