Serbia national day f uture growth through mutual cooperation Helping support bilateral relations i chiro aisawa b ojana adamovic Dragovic mental protection in the thermo- informed emperor Meiji in 1882 PresiDeNt, JaPaN-serbia ParliameNtary frieNDsHiP leaGUe a mbassaDor of serbia electric power plant nikola Tesla about serbia becoming an in- (TenT) near belgrade. Further- ternationally recognized state at o n behalf of the Japan-serbia Parliamentary Itsy i m great more, since May 2011, serbian the berlin Congress in 1878, and friendship league, i would like to extend my privilege and citizens can enter and stay in Ja- about himself becoming serbian sincere congratulations on the occasion of the distinct honor pan up to 90 days without visas. king. emperor Meiji replied and National Day of the republic of serbia and to express my after the disastrous earth- this exchange of letters between also on the occasion of the 130th year since deepest respect quake that hit Japan on March 11 two sovereigns represents the first the exchange of letters between emperor and warmest last year, serbian people showed official communication between meiji and king milan i of serbia in 1882. wishes to Their compassion for and empathy serbia and Japan. in march 2011, H.e. boris tadic, president of Imperial Maj- with the friendly Japanese peo- serbia sees Japan as one of the republic of serbia, visited Japan. later, in esties emperor ple, providing them with finan- its most important partners and November 2011, H.e. slavica Djukic Dejanovic, speaker of the a kihito and empress Michiko, cial aid and moral support, orga- friends, and gives high priority National assembly of the republic of serbia, visited Japan. members of the Imperial Fam- nizing various charity events as a to the further strengthening of Engineering marvel: Opened this year on Jan. 1, the Ada Bridge these visits to Japan were the first ever by the serbian ily,s a well as to H.e. Prime sign of friendship. This was also bilateral relations in all fields, in- spans the River Sava and connects Cukarica and New Belgrade, president and the serbian speaker. Minister yoshihiko noda, the a display of gratitude for the con- cluding culture, science, sports two of the capital’s municipalities. embassy of serbia i am sure that these historical visits have further government and friendly people tinuous help and aid that Japan and people-to-people exchange. strengthened and developed the relations between Japan and of Japan, on the occasion of the President of the Republic of has granted to serbia so far. as a Japan has continuously been are now focusing on the devel- for doing business, as well as serbia in various fields. national day of serbia. I would Serbia Boris Tadic proverb says, “a friend in need is supporting serbia’s path toward opment of economic ties by at- whichever possibilities serbia the Japan-serbia Parliamentary friendship league will also like to take this opportunity a friend indeed.” european union integration and tracting more Japanese investors could offer as a friend located at continue to render its support for the promotion of such to greet esteemed readers of The b f oth o them had fruitful talks This year we celebrate 130 recognizes its important role in and tourists to serbia, introduc- a crossroads of civilizations, cul- relations. Japan Times, and on behalf of with the highest Japanese dig- years since the King of serbia Mi- the region of the Western bal- ing them to the opportunities tures and markets. the embassy of serbia in Japan nitaries, and these visits gave a lan I of the house of Obrenovic kans and southeast europe. We to extend my best wishes for the strong impetus for the further well-being and prosperity of the strengthening of political ties Hoping for further prosperity for Japanese people and of all ser- between our countries. Presi- bian citizens residing in Japan. dent Tadic’s visit had a historical serbia, developing ties with Japan The year behind us was very connotation because it was the important for the further devel- first visit ever by a serbian head opmentf o bilateral political rela- of state to Japan. Naohide Ueyama the Honorary Consulate Gen- tions between serbia and Japan. Last year was marked by im- Ho Norary CoNsUl GeNeral, eral of the republic of serbia President of the republic of portant events in other fields of HoNorary CoNsUlate GeNeral of in Osaka. serbia boris Tadic visited Japan bilateral cooperation as well. The serbia iN osaka For more than seven years in March, and the speaker of first yen loan was granted by the since I was assigned to the post the serbian Parliament slavica Japanese government to serbia On the occa- of honorary consul general in djukic dejanovic in november. for a project related to environ- sion of the na- 2004, I have worked to the best tional day of of my ability to enhance the the republic of amicable relationship between serbia, I would serbia and Japan. I sincerely like to express hope for the further prosperity my heartiest of the republic of serbia and congratulations the development of friendly on behalf of bilateral ties. Top class: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, ranked No. 1 in the world, wins Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Sports Awards in London on Feb. 6. E mbassy of serbia PAGE: 5.