Japan-Kosovo Summit Meeting

On September 28, commencing at 4.35 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, who was visiting Japan to attend the state funeral for the former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. The summary of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Kurti's attendance at the state funeral for the former Prime Minister Abe. In addition, he welcomed the steady development of the bilateral relations in recent years, which includes the opening of the Embassy of Japan in Kosovo, following the announcement of the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative” by the former Prime Minister Abe in 2018, as well as expressing his expectations for Kosovo’s constructive role for peace and stability in the Western Balkan region. In response, Prime Minister Kurti reiterated his appreciation for the former Prime Minister Abe's contribution to the promotion of the bilateral relations, mentioning him as a friend of Kosovo, and for Japan’s continuous support to his country, while expressing his expectations for further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in future.

2. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen the bilateral ties by developing the diplomatic legacy inherited from the former Prime Minister Abe, with in mind the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024, followed by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

3. The leaders, exchanging views on the situation in Ukraine, confirmed that Japan and Kosovo are partners who share fundamental values such as democracy and the rule of law, and that unity among such like-minded countries is important in addressing Russia’s aggregation against Ukraine.