Despite the difficulties generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moldovan-Japanese relations in 2020 followed an upward trend, with a constant political dialogue and cooperation in the field of development assistance, it was noted in a meeting of the secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dumitru Socolan and Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Katayama Yoshihiro, IPN reports.

In the meeting, the diplomats took stock of the main activities carried out last year and analyzed the prospects of the bilateral cooperation and the bilateral agenda of priority events this year. Among the accomplishments, the diplomats mentioned the organization of the first meeting of the parliamentary friendship group and the two editions of the Moldovan-Japanese business forum that was held in a video conference format.

Among the common objectives set for 2021, the interlocutors mentioned the extension of the bilateral relations, with Dumitru Socolan noting Moldova’s interest in continuously strengthening cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

The diplomats also spoke about important events planned in connection with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moldova and Japan in 2022.

Dumitru Socolan thanked for the Japanese assistance provided to Moldova through grants programs and concessional loans offered in particular to the agricultural, social-cultural and health sectors. In another development, it was underlined the Moldovan authorities’ interest in finalizing the talks on the draft bilateral treaties, primarily in the socioeconomic sector.