Dr Orlic said that Serbia appreciates the financial aid and support provided by Japan during the previous years, emphasising the readiness of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to strengthen ties with the Japanese Parliament at all levels and additionally contribute to the improvement of cooperation in all areas.

He informed the Ambassador about the difficult situation in Kosovo-Metohija. "Forcing support for the membership of so-called "Kosovo" in the Council of Europe, that organisation disgraced itself, because it agreed to be put in a situation where it violates its own rules, and the dialogue, which was otherwise threatened, was thereby rendered further meaningless," said Dr Orlic. He informed Ambassador Katsumata in detail about the daily terror against the Serbian people in Kosovo-Metohija, the decade of waiting for the promised and signed formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, as well as the conduct of so-called "elections" in local areas where Serbs live, completely without the participation of Serbs. "There is no democracy there. In these difficult conditions, we are making a huge effort to preserve peace and stability for everyone. We insist on consistent respect for international law and the binding UNSC Resolution 1244. We are all making this very clear - the President of the Republic of Serbia A. Vucic in first place, our National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Government of the Republic of Serbia”, said Dr Orlic.

The Japanese Ambassador said that he is aware of the sensitivity of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, welcoming Belgrade's responsible approach to dialogue and all the efforts our side is making to reach a sustainable solution.

He applauded the achieved level of economic cooperation, especially in the area of investments, stressing that investments in Serbia will continue, since there is great interest for it among Japanese investors.

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Katsumata extended his gratitude for and satisfaction with the trust the Republic of Serbia and its institutions had showed him during his mandate, expressing his belief that his successor would feel the same support and readiness for cooperation.