BELGRADE, Serbia

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Thursday her country wants to foster good relations and support the stability and prosperity of Serbia.

''We are entering a period of even more intensive development of economic cooperation between the two countries, Kamikawa said in a meeting with Serbian Premier Milos Vucevic in Belgrade.

She said “34 Japanese companies are operating successfully in Serbia.''
Kamikawa is currently on a tour of the Western Balkans.

She said Japan and Serbia are celebrating 142 years of diplomatic relations and Serbia is an important partner in this part of the world.

Vucevic, for his part, said the discussion focused on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and partnerships in joint projects.

He indicated that bilateral economic cooperation between Serbia and Japan is gaining and becoming more intense.

Vucevic urged Japanese investors to invest in the Serbian market, pointing out that Serbia is a country with an excellent business climate, especially for investments in information technology.

Kamikawa is expected to visit the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, and Kosovo, during her tour.

Her focus is to encourage dialogue and cooperation with each country, building on Japan’s efforts to promote dialogue and implement economic cooperation.