Cooperation in the field of healthcare and rail transport has been agreed Monday by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at a meeting with Tomita Tetsuro - president of the Board of Directors of East Japan Railway Company (JR-East).

In relation to healthcare cooperation, it has been agreed Macedonian doctors and medical staff to be trained at the JR Tokyo General Hospital and doctors from the Tokyo-based hospital to come to Macedonia and share their knowledge involving the implementation of advanced medical methods, the government's press service said in a press release.

In connection to rail transport cooperation, an opportunity has been pointed out for Japanese assistance in the development of rail transportation in Macedonia accentuating the possibility to educate staff from Macedonia's railroad enterprises or institutions in Japan.

"JR Tokyo General Hospital is an advanced medical institution in many areas, most notably in orthopaedic medicine, rehabilitation from injury and cancer treatment. The company's CEO and I at a meeting discussed many opportunities for cooperation not only in the sphere of medicine, but also in rail transportation, because it is a company that owns part of the railway in addition to managing the hospital," PM Gruevski stated after the meeting.

Voicing satisfaction with the opportunity to establish cooperation with Macedonia, CEO Tetsuro said this was the start of an increased and enhanced cooperation between Japan and Macedonia. "We hope our contribution could help your country to improve the economy. Referring to medicine, this is a chance and an opportunity as many doctors and medical personnel as possible from your country to visit us and be trained here. Moreover, with respect to rail transportation, if there's anything with which we can help in terms of supporting your railways, it would be our pleasure to help," stated Tetsuro.

East Japan Railway Company (JR-East) is a company with businesses in several areas, including rail transport and medicine. It has an annual turnover of 28 billion dollars.

Macedonia's government delegation is resuming its official visit to Japan with a business forum in Tokyo and a meeting between PM Gruevski and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.