Skopje, 22 February 2024 (MIA) - Five grant agreements under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) were signed in Skopje on Thursday. The total grant amount of over EUR 300,000 from the Government of Japan are intended for three public health institutions, one school and one municipality.

Japanese Ambassador Otsuka Kazuya opened the signing ceremony which was addressed by First Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs in the caretaker Government, Bojan Marichikj, as National Coordinator for Distribution of Foreign Assistance in the country, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Health Minister Ilir Demiri, and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova. 

Ambassador Otsuka pointed out that the ceremony celebrates the strong friendship between the two countries that has been going on for 30 years, and reaffirms the support that Japan provides in promoting assistance in areas such as health, education and the environment.

"With these five projects, we will contribute to the improvement of healthcare services for patients, the educational environment for students and a healthier living environment for everyone. Within the Western Balkans initiative, Japan is strongly committed to supporting the Republic of North Macedonia in the social and economic development, which is very important for EU integration. The Japanese people are happy and proud to be able to help the Macedonian people," said the Ambassador addressing the event in Macedonian. 

Extending gratitude, Deputy PM Marichikj noted that the Japanese assistance is constant, sincere and large, and the projects within the GGP program are very important because they directly affect the quality of life of citizens and the public services to which all citizens have access.

"An important anniversary this year is the celebration of 30 years of friendly diplomatic relations with Japan, while support from Japan dates back to the very independence of North Macedonia or Macedonia at the time. During this period, Japan has provided great support through official development assistance in several important sectors for citizens, worth over EUR 265 million from the taxpayers of Japan. Our goal is to decisively take the country forward in stable conditions along the European path and become part of the EU by 2030. But also our goal is to build strong ties with our friends like Japan and for this assistance to be an additional and strong bridge between our peoples and our countries," said Marichikj. 

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani in a video address stressed the importance of the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement in 2022 between the two countries, which represents a significant basis for promoting cooperation in various domains and for facilitating the possibilities for implementation of the Japanese bilateral support.

The five projects provide digital x-ray for the Health Center in Negotino, procurement of a utility vehicle for the Municipality of Rankovci, ultrasound for geriatric and palliative medicine in Skopje, reconstruction of the roof of the elementary school "Rade Kratovce" in the Municipality of Kochani and improvement of the facility of the University Clinic for digestive surgery in Skopje.

Since 1996, the Grant Assistance for Grass Roots and Human Security Projects (GGP) introduced by the Government of Japan have provided funding for 182 projects worth EUR 9.2 million. 

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