A member of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović, spoke today with the Ambassador of Japan, Masami Kinefuchi, agreeing that through bilateral cooperation, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Japan have built good and friendly relations and that, during the 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, that cooperation has constantly improved.
Bećirović informed the Japanese ambassador about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s steps towards full membership in the European Union and NATO.
Ambassador Masami Kinefuchi pointed out that Japan, as a member of the PIC (Peace Implementation Council), supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the high representative and his function in full capacity.
The BiH Presidency member Bećirović expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for the development assistance and support to the reform processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina through numerous programs for many years.
It was emphasized that Japan is one of the most important bilateral donors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Japan’s commitment to improving economic cooperation between the two countries was highlighted, and new Japanese investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina were also announced.
Also, both sides expressed their willingness to exchange visits at the highest level.
The Government of Japan, as part of the Economic and Social Development Program, so far donated non-reimbursable financial aid, i.e. a grant in the amount of 500,000,000 Japanese yen (approx. 8 million BAM) to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the catastrophic floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014, Japan placed about 27 million BAM at disposal of BiH, the BiH Presidency stated.