Japan-Kosovo Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister MOTEGI and President Osmani of Kosovo
July 23, 2021
On July 23, commencing at 4:35 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo, who was visiting Japan to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Foreign Minister MOTEGI welcomed President Osmani's first visit to Japan and expressed his expectations for further enhancement of the bilateral relations with her visit, while commenting that Japan has always supported peace and stability as well as economic development of the region since Kosovo’s declaration of independence. President Osmani congratulated Japan on holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and wished for its success. President Osmani also expressed her appreciation for Japan’s continuous support to Kosovo as well as her hopes to strengthen cooperation with Japan as a strategic partner in the region.
- Foreign Minister MOTEGI stated Japan’s support for a unified Europe based on common fundamental values and renewed its decision to assist Kosovo's economic and social reforms toward EU accession under the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative. In addition, Minister MOTEGI and President Osmani exchanged opinions on regional issues in the Western Balkans, including the importance of dialogue with Serbia, which holds a key to peace and stability of the region.
- Both parties also shared the view to cooperate in addressing issues related to North Korea, including the abductions issue.