Looking at the Western Balkans, the international community is carefully following the development of the EU-mediated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Japan supports this process and appreciates Serbia’s determination to reach a solution to this long-standing issue. We expect Serbia to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the region ~ Takahiko Katsumata
Looking back over 2022, Japan and Serbia celebrated the 140th anniversary of the friendly relationship that was established between Emperor Meiji and King Milan Obrenović in 1882. We could confirm our wellestablished friendship and even promote Japan- Serbia human networks through various cultural events and my visits throughout Serbia. Contrary to the bilateral goodwill circumstances, the world had to cope with extraordinary challenges that still confront us. Above all, Russian aggression against Ukraine started on 24th February 2022 and will have been ongoing for almost a year. We have witnessed the numerous victims and huge destruction of Ukraine. Millions of displaced people are now abandoning the country. There are even a few thousand Ukrainian people in Japan who fled their home country. It has also shaken the global order of security, and caused energy and food crises. I don’t believe that we can state optimistic views of 2023 without stopping the aggression.
Looking around Japan, the security environment has become increasingly severe as a result of nuclear weapon and missile development by North Korea. Transnational threats grounded on technological progress, including international terrorism and cyberattacks, are also increasing their significance. In the current world, no nation can maintain its own peace and security alone. Japan has contributed, to the maximum possible extent, to efforts to maintain and restore international peace and security, such as UN peacekeeping operations. These efforts are made on the basis of the belief that Japan, as a “Proactive Contributor to Peace”, needs to contribute more actively to the peace and stability of the region and the international community, while coordinating with other countries. Looking at the Western Balkans, the international community is carefully following the development of the EU-mediated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Japan supports this process and appreciates Serbia’s determination to reach a solution to this long-standing issue.
We expect Serbia to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the region. On the eve of the beginning of 2023, I would like to express my belief that it’s now time for Japan and Serbia, as long-standing friendly countries, to work more closely to ensure a brighter future for the region and the world.
