Skopje, 27 January 2023 (MIA) – Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, Fatmir Bytyqi, met Friday with Japan’s Ambassador to North Macedonia, Otsuka Kazuya, highlighting the enviable level of bilateral relations, as well as the great potential for advancement of economic cooperation.

Ambassador Kazuya said that with North Macedonia joining NATO and beginning its EU accession talks, the country has become a stable and secure partner for investors, and expressed his support for the country’s EU accession process, the Government said in a press release.

Deputy PM Bytyqi noted that the Government’s economic policies are aimed at attracting new investments from highly technologically developed companies, which are undoubtedly present in Japan as well, but also that the Government’s aim is to raise the competitiveness of the country and the Western Balkans through the inclusion of its companies into the global chains of the manufacturing companies. Furthermore, Bytyqi expressed his gratitude for the support that Japan has provided for North Macedonia’s development and for the fact that Japan is one of the largest bilateral donors for the realization of concrete programs and projects through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Interlocutors agreed that in the upcoming period they will devote themselves to the realization of joint economic projects, with the aim of deepening the economic cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Kazuya expressed his satisfaction that North Macedonia has already confirmed its participation in the Expo 2025 which will be held in Osaka, Japan, themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” ad/ik/