Japan-Albania Foreign Ministers' Meeting

November 21, 2011
Japanese

(Photo)Japan-Albania Foreign Ministers' Meeting-2

On Monday, November 21, from 4:30 p.m. for around 30 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Koichiro Gemba held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, who is visiting Japan. An exchange of views took place on bilateral relations, cooperation in the international arena, and the regional and international situations. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Minister Gemba welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Haxhinasto's first visit to Japan this year, on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Albania, and expressed his appreciation for Albania's assistance in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In response, Minister Haxhinasto noted that the world is impressed by the way in which Japanese people have dealt with the disaster.
Minister Haxhinasto expressed his appreciation for Japan's development assistance. On this basis, the Minister stated that he would like to attract private investment from Japan moving forward, and noted that Albania has potential as an investment destination, having acceded to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and as a country aiming to accede to the European Union (EU). In response, Minister Gemba noted that Albania's steady implementation of ongoing development assistance projects and stabilization of domestic affairs will lead to investment. Minister Gemba commended the reforms being undertaken by Albania for accession to the EU, and noted that Albania has potential in the areas of mineral resources and tourism resources.
Minister Gemba stated that Albania is a key country for the stability of the entire region. Minister Haxhinasto responded that Albania and neighboring countries are making efforts toward integration for attracting investment and also from the perspective of gaining EU membership.
Minister Haxhinasto requested visa exemption from the perspective of increasing tourists from Albania to Japan. Minister Gemba responded that he would like to proceed with the discussions step by step.
Both ministers agreed on the need for United Nations (UN) Security Council reform and improvements in North Korea's human rights situation. In this regard, Minister Haxhinasto said that he supports Japan, which respects international law and makes contributions in the areas of development and peace, fulfilling a large role in the international community.

(*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

(END)

Back to Index