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28 August 2024 The National Assembly Speaker in meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to Serbia

Wednesday, 28 August 2024

National Assembly Speaker Meets with Japanese Ambassador to Serbia

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic met today with Japanese Ambassador to Serbia Akira Imamura an the two official agreed about the two countries’ firm commitment to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation at all levels, for which there is plenty opportunity.

In the course of the meeting, the National Assembly Speaker informed the Ambassador about some of the chief priorities of the current legislature, such as the adoption of laws which would enable the implementation of ODIHR recommendation, as well as strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation at all levels. She added that a Parliamentary Friendship Group with Japan has been set up, headed by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Snezana Paunovic.

Brnabic also said that she is looking forward to the announced formal beginning of negotiations for the conclusion of the Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment “BIT” which is a significant legal framework and guarantor for the further advancement of investment cooperation.

Ambassador Imamura said that the bilateral relations are good and friendly and should be further developed and accompanied by a regular exchange of official visits and intensification of comprehensive contacts between the two countries’ high dignitaries.

Speaker Brnabic highlighted the importance of that dynamic development of economic cooperation between the two countries in the last years, characterised by an increase in goods exchange, trade in services and a rising influx of Japanese investments, especially in the car industry. She stressed that cooperation with Japan is very important for Serbia and that Japan is one of our main partners and was the 16th biggest investor in Serbia in 2010.

Ambassador Imamura especially highlighted the importance of investment into Serbia, saying that there are plans to expand the investments by Japanese companies, specifically in the field of modern technologies. Brnabic said that it most pleased that the Japanese investors have recognised the advantages of doing business in Serbia.

At the end of the meeting, Speaker Brnabic once again thanked the Ambassador for his support to the strengthening of relations between Serbia and Japan.