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| Gramoz Ruçi, Makoto Ito and their collaborators in the premises of the Albanian Parliament |
President Ruçi expressed the gratitude of the Assembly to the Parliament and the Government of Japan for strengthening and expanding cooperation with Albania and praised the contribution and commitment of Ambassador Ito in strengthening and promoting this cooperation, in all areas: political, economic, education, culture, etc. .
For the last 20 years, Japan has been one of the most important donor countries for Albania. It has provided about $ 400 million in financial support in the form of grants, assistance for economic cooperation, soft loans in education, health, infrastructure, environment, energy, etc. 15 agreements have been signed between the two countries and several more are in process. About 21 projects in support of community development have been funded.
"Thanks to your contribution, inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries has increased. The visit of the delegation of the Albanian Parliament to Tokyo in October-November last year gave a new impetus to these relations. Albanian-Japanese cooperation is the typical case when the physical distance is challenged by warm feelings of friendship and cooperation. The increase of Japan's geopolitical interest in the Western Balkans region, with the Cooperation Initiative with the Western Balkans creates new opportunities for concrete cooperation with Japan. Also, it is highly valued and is considered as a very important initiative for development and support for the integration of the countries of the region", stressed the Speaker of the Assembly, Gramoz Ruçi.
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| Ruçi donating Skanderbeg's helmet to Makoto Ito |
Ambassador Makoto Ito thanked President Ruçi for his warm words and appreciation of the Albanian-Japanese cooperation. Japan will continue to assist Albania and the Embassy of Japan in Tirana will continue to work to expand bilateral cooperation in all areas.