The Embassy of Japan to Macedonia officially opened in Skopje on Wednesday, in the attendance of Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane and Ambassador Keiko Haneda.
"My team will work hard on enhancing bilateral relations in all fields. Therefore, we are grateful for your continual support and cooperation", said Ambassador Haneda.
State Minister Nakane said the embassy's opening aimed at further development of friendly relations between the two countries.
Deputy-Foreign Minister Arta Toci said the embassy's opening is the final piece of the mosaic that was composed over the past 23 years.
"The people of Macedonia will never forget Japan's assistance following the 1963 earthquake, the 1991 independence declaration or the refugee crisis", added Toci.
The event was also attended by Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Vice Premier Bujar Osmani, Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska, Culture Minister Robert Alagjozovski and ambassadors.
Macedonia and Japan established diplomatic ties in March 1994. Macedonia opened ts embassy in Tokyo in May 2013, Andrijana Cvetkovic being the first resident ambassador.
Japan has provided EUR 272,5 million as grants in the fields of health, education and development of local communities, as well as EUR 97 million in loans for infrastructure development. Over EUR 47 million have been allocated for technical support and scholarships, along with EUR 4,7 million for the refugee crisis management.
