Skopje, 29 July 2021 (MIA) — I keep highlighting that geographical distance shouldn’t be an obstacle to closer political and economic collaboration, said Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi at the meeting with newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to North Macedonia, Hironori Sawada. According to an official press release, Xhaferi wished Ambassador Sawada success in his ambassadorial post and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with his predecessor, the first resident ambassador of Japan to North Macedonia, Keiko Haneda. Pointing out the excellent friendly ties between the two countries, Xhaferi stressed the importance of continuing bilateral economic cooperation and increasing Japanese investments. He also expressed his confidence that Ambassador Sawada would contribute toward this goal by cooperating with state institutions, the release says. The Japanese ambassador thanked Xhaferi for his welcome and congratulated him on presiding over the Parliament as a democratic institution where different political relations and interests intersect. “Ambassador Sawada stressed that his mission was to work on intensifying the mutual relations between the two countries. He will especially focus his activities on strengthening economic cooperation. In that regard, he pointed to several ongoing economic projects and investments in our country in the field of technical cooperation, financial grant investments in culture, health care, and others. “He reaffirmed the strong support Japan gives to the Republic of North Macedonia on its path to EU integration while strengthening its democratic institutions and the rule of law,” the release adds. Sawada and Xhaferi agreed that the mutual communication and cooperation between the Embassy of Japan and the Parliament should continue and become more frequent in the future. mr/