Moldova, Japan mark 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations' establishment

Chisinau, 16 March /MOLDPRES/ - The Foreign and European Integration Ministry (MAEIE) welcomes the marking of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Moldova and Japan on 16 March this year. Japan was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Moldova on 26 December 1991, the MAEIE information and media communication service has reported.   
On the occasion of the diplomatic anniversary, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Andrei Galbur and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida exchanged congratulatory messages.
In his congratulatory message sent to his Japanese counterpart, the head of the Moldovan diplomacy said that “the excellent bilateral dialogue of the last 25 years has showed the fruitful cooperation, both in the bilateral framework and the multilateral one, based on joint principles, such as the values of the democracy, rule of law state and market economy.” The Moldovan foreign minister highlighted that “the people of Moldova appreciate the generous and constant support by the government of Japan for strengthening the country’s democratic institutions, as well as the successful carrying out of diverse projects in the fields of agriculture, health, education, economy, science, technology and culture.”   
Also, an exchange of messages at the high level was made between Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The diplomatic relations with Japan were set on 16 March 1992. On the occasion of the anniversary, the diplomatic missions from both countries organize cultural events in Chisinau and Tokyo. Thus, the Embassy of Japan in Moldova invites the wide public to the first Japanese film festival, due at the Odeon movie theatre on 17-18 March.   
Concomitantly, on the day of diplomatic anniversary, the Foreign Ministry hosted an event of launch of the stamp with special obliteration, 25 Years of Moldova-Japan Diplomatic Relations. The stamp was elaborated by the Posta Moldovei enterprise and represents the Tighina Fortress and the Himeji Castle from the Hyogo prefect’s office. The stamp will be put on a personalized post stamp, which represents sakura (Japanese cherry flower), from an envelope with special drawing, which includes more states with which Moldova signed agreements on the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.       
At the same time, a reception for Japanese officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the community of Moldovans who settled in Japan will be organized at the headquarters of Moldova’s Embassy in Tokyo on 31 March 2017.