P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held meetings on Wednesday in Tokyo with his Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda.

Expressing content with the fact that a Macedonian premier was in an official visit to Japan for the first time since the countries' establishment of diplomatic ties in 1994, Gruevski thanked for the warm welcome and cordial hospitality.

PM Gruevski met his Japanese counterpart for discussion on ways to enhance bilateral and multilateral ties and for revision of several aspects of cooperation.

Interlocutors at the meeting concluded that there was an enormous potential towards improving and strengthening overall collaboration, especially in the sphere of economy.

PM Gruevski informed his counterpart about the reforms implemented in Macedonia and its strategic priorities in terms of NATO and EU membership. Gruevski told Noda that Macedonia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration had been hindered by a name dispute imposed by Greece and underscored country's commitment to finding a solution within the UN-brokered process.

Interlocutors concluded at the meeting that Japan's visit laid foundations for the two countries to strengthen their cooperation in many areas of mutual interest.

 Meeting with Noda and Crown Prince Naruhito, the Macedonian PM offered condolences to the Japanese people for the lives lost after the earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku and for the nuclear accidents caused by the tsunami.

Macedonia's PM expressed gratitude for Japan's financial and technical assistance realized through activities conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Macedonia.

Moreover, he urged bilateral relations to focus on economic cooperation, strengthening of trade exchange and increasing of Japanese investments in Macedonia.

Both interlocutors praised the development of countries' relations, saying they were based in friendship and mutual understanding.