Ambassador of Japan to Serbia Katsumata Takahiko organized a reception at the “Metropol Palace” hotel on the occasion of celebrating the birthday of Emperor Naruhito of Japan and expressed his satisfaction that he had the opportunity to invite guests to the first ceremony after the corona virus pandemic.
At the beginning, Takahiko sent his condolences to the families of the victims and the injured, as well as those who lost their homes in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and in his speech he reminded that Naruhito is the 126th emperor of Japan, that the imperial line began with the enthronement of Jinmu, the first emperor of Japan, and that the imperial system of this country is considered the longest-lasting form of government in the world.
“I would like to use this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the government and the people of the Republic of Serbia for the long-standing friendship with Japan, which last year marked 140 years of existence,” said the ambassador and reminded that more than 40 commemorative events were realized through joint efforts, which strengthened the friendship connections.
The ambassador also thanked Prime Minister Ana Brnabić for attending the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in October 2019, as well as the state funeral of Prime Minister Abe the previous year.
“Our two countries are entering a new era of bilateral regional and international cooperation. The most significant turning point was Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Serbia in 2018, when the way was opened for the improvement of cooperation in various fields and the Initiative for cooperation with the Western Balkans was launched. I am proud that the last years, our quality projects and investments in areas such as environmental protection, clean energy, waste management, healthcare, digital transformation, support for innovators and startup companies and others, are constantly present in Serbia,” said Takahiko and added that the goal of these projects is promotion of sustainability, as well as development of human resources:
“I am most sincerely grateful for the support of more than twenty companies, which exhibit exhibits of some of those high-quality products and projects in front of the entrance of this hall. We are making efforts to approach the other countries of the Western Balkans and their common priorities in this way, which could represent the basis of a regional cooperation. In that context, Serbia is undoubtedly a key country”.
Finally, Ambassador Takahiko wished that this year the international community would show its unity and wisdom, which will open a bright future for current and future generations.
Among the guests were Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, ministers Tomislav Momirović, Edin Đerlek and Novica Tončev, as well as other figures from the country’s public life and members of the diplomatic corps.
