P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met on Wednesday in Tokyo with Crown Prince Naruhito - the heir apparent to the Throne of Japan.

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.

At the meeting, 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.

Gruevski said that the Republic of Macedonia highly appreciated Japan's active and vital role in Asia and around the globe as well as country's independent and peaceful foreign policy.

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.