Japanese top diplomat in Kosovo today Kamikawa: Developing this state is essential to peace in the region

It through a message before coming to Kosovo, has expressed satisfaction that it can visit Kosovo as Japan's foreign minister for the first time in this historic year marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kosovo.

This historic year in bilateral relations will be marked by various cultural events organised by the Embassy of Japan. Also, I am aware that in February the Kosovo Posta has kindly issued memorial stamps to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and in September the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a memorial concert”, it says in its message.

According to her, Kosovo's economic development is essential for peace and stability in the region. In the economic arena, concrete activities are under way in Kosovo as well.

“We want to use this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the friendship and bilateral co-operation that is constantly deepening between Japan and Kosovo, and to seize the opportunity to further develop and strengthen it in the future”, it says in its message.

Japan's top diplomat will have meetings with Kosovo Prime Minister Alibin Kurti, as well as with Kosovo Foreign Minister Gervalla. There will also be a corthesia meeting with former President Atifete Jahjaga.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has expressed regret that she cannot be in Kosovo today on the occasion of Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko's visit to Britain.

However, through a post at <x0X”, the first state member says Yokon had the pleasure of meeting him at the Women Leaderial Summit in Italy.

“Since Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko begins her visit to Kosovo today, I regret that I cannot be there because of my visit to the United Kingdom. But last month, I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Women Leaderial Summit in Italy. We had a big discussion about the strong alliance between Kosovo and Japan a partnership that we are committed to strengthening. We deeply appreciate Japan's support over the years and expect even greater co-operation in the future”, Osmani wrote.

The full message, of Y '%ko Kamikawa, Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister on the occasion of her official visit to the Republic of Kosovo

Relations between Japan and Kosovo

I am very pleased to visit Kosovo as Japan's foreign minister for the first time in this historic year, marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kosovo.

Regarding Kosovo's February 2008 declaration of independence, following the difficulties of the Kosovo conflict, Japan, along with the major Western states, rushed to recognise it in March of that same year and in February 2009, our two countries established diplomatic relations.

Since then, Japan has consistently supported Kosovo's statehood by the Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Japanese Agency for International Co-operation (JICA) and other tools. And with a strong aim to further strengthen dialogue and co-operation with the region in January 2018, then Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo ABE declared “The Western Balkans Co-operation Initiative”, during his visit to Southeast European countries with the aim of economic and social support, reforms in Western Balkan countries that aspire to join the EU and promote co-operation within the Western Balkans region. Under this initiative, Japan has shared its expertise on common issues in the Western Balkans region, such as disaster prevention and promotion of NVMs, and has encouraged further regional co-operation by staying close to Western Balkan people.

Developing very close relations, including economy and culture

This historic year in bilateral relations will be marked by various cultural events organised by the Embassy of Japan. Also, I am aware that in February the Kosovo Posta has kindly issued memorial stamps to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and in September the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a memorial concert.

Relations between our two countries have developed in various areas, including the economy and culture.

Kosovo's economic development is essential for peace and stability in the region. In the economic arena, concrete activities are under way in Kosovo as well. A Japanese company is actively expanding their operations in Europe from a base in Kosovo to the food sector. Furthermore, the next year will be held, Expo Osaka-Kancei, and we have received confirmation of the Kosovo government's participation. We are eager to work together to accelerate preparations to build a moment for Expo's success, taking advantage of this opportunity to further deepen the co-operation between our two countries. We hope that Kosovo's participation in Expo will display its charm, leading to successful new examples of business investments. The Japanese government will continue to encourage and support the expansion of Japanese companies' activities in this region, with strong conviction that strengthening our economic relations will contribute to further development of Kosovo's economic development, thus laying the groundwork for peace and stability in the Western Balkan region.

In sports, judo is very popular in Kosovo. Looking back, Majlinda Kelmendi won a gold medal in the women's 52kg category at Rios 2016 Olympic Games, while District Krasniqi in the women's 48kg category and Nora Gjakova in the 57kg category won gold medals at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Such remarkable achievements of Kosovo athletes attracted the attention and praise of the Japanese people at the time. This summer the Paris Olympics will be held, and I look forward to further empowering our bilateral exchanges through sports, especially the judo.

Music is also a symbol of the exchange between our two countries. In 2014, Japan donated musical instruments to the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 2007, Mr. Toshio Yanagisawa, a Japanese conductor who has been active in the Balkan region for many years, serves as the principal conductor of the Philharmonic. He founded a camera orchestra consisting of its members from different parts of the former Yugoslavia and has directed its performances aimed at promoting ethnic harmony through music. I hope that such sincere cultural activities will contribute to promoting peace and development in the Western Balkan region.

Japanese Diplomacy to Western Balkans

Supporting the process of reconciliation and socio-economic reforms in this region that has once suffered from serious division among people and contributing to the peace and stability of Kosovo and this region. This embodys the spirit of the Western Balkans Co-operation Initiative “” Japan has repeatedly promoted. Especially at a time when international order is facing serious challenges, I believe it is meaningful as Japan's foreign minister to visit the Western Balkans region, which has experienced devastating conflicts in recent history, and engage in frank discussions with people about the importance of peace.

As said in the Comission of the G7 Leaders of Hiroshima at last May summit, progress in dialogue on normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia is crucial to the “road to Europe” of the two countries is important that they properly implement their respective obligation and I have great expectations from the leadership of the Kosovo government. Japan has also encouraged Serbia to engage in dialogue with Kosovo, and sincerely aims to support the process as much as possible.

WPS Importance

During this visit, I also intend to address the topic of women, Peace and Security (WPS), which I have made as the work and commitment of my life.

Japan promotes Women, Peace and Security (WPS), adopted by the UN Security Council in 2000 as one of its main foreign policies. This policy is based on the belief that lasting peace can be achieved more effectively when women take leadership roles and participate in preventing conflicts, rebuilding and building peace.

Kosovo is one of the leading countries in the political participation of women, including President Osmani, Foreign Minister Gervala and many other cabinet members. During my visit, I will trade opinions with former President Jahjaga. Former President Jahjaga received the Trailblazer Award in 2017 by Women Political Leaderhood (WPL), where I have been Japan's ambassador since 2016, and after the end of the mandate, she founded a foundation and actively developed projects for support of women and children. We will further strengthen our co-operation with Kosovo to realise lasting peace based on the prospect of women, Peace and Security (WPS) in the Balkan region and the international community.

We want to use this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the friendship and bilateral co-operation that is constantly deepening between Japan and Kosovo, and to seize the opportunity to develop and strengthen it further in the future.