The Minister for European Affairs and First Deputy Prime Minister, Bekim Sali, held a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan, Setsuko Kawahara.
The meeting focused on the ongoing development cooperation between North Macedonia and Japan, as well as Japan’s continued support for the country’s reform priorities and socio-economic development. Minister Sali highlighted the Government’s commitment to delivering concrete results within the Reform Agenda, with a particular focus on strengthening institutional capacities and improving the quality of public services.
The interlocutors discussed the implementation of ongoing technical cooperation projects, including initiatives in disaster risk reduction, urban transport, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and tourism development. They also exchanged views on new projects related to climate change mitigation in agriculture and strengthening capacities for emergency medical response and crisis preparedness.
Minister Sali expressed gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support through official development assistance, including grants for small-scale projects that bring direct benefits to local communities in the areas of education, healthcare, environmental protection, and public services.
He emphasized that the Ministry for European Affairs will continue its close cooperation with the Embassy of Japan and JICA in order to ensure effective coordination of development assistance and alignment with reform priorities and the objectives of the European integration process.
