Japan is an important partner and the support provided by it is essential for the modernization of the Republic of Moldova, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in Tokyo during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya. The two officials discussed the strengthening of the Moldovan-Japanese political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas, such as agriculture, education, and health, IPN reports.

The two officials analyzed the opportunities for Japanese businesspeople. Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi underlined, in this regard, the openness of the Republic of Moldova to develop the bilateral legal framework in order to facilitate economic cooperation with Japan.

For his part, Takeshi Iwaya stressed that Japan will continue to support Moldova's efforts to join the European Union and will support projects beneficial to people, including in the field of agriculture, infrastructure and industry.

"The visit by the chief of the Moldovan diplomatic service to Tokyo is essential for strengthening the Moldovan-Japanese relations, given that the last visit by a Moldovan foreign minister to Japan took place 6 years ago," said the MFA.

In another development, Mihai Popșoi told his Japanese counterpart about Moldova's interest in abolishing the visa regime for Moldovan citizens, noting that 10 years ago, Moldova gave up the visa regime for Japanese citizens.

Mihai Popșoi welcomed the organization of a new round of bilateral political consultations, scheduled for December 5 in Tokyo, which will provide the opportunity to address the entire spectrum of topics added to the agenda of the bilateral relations.

Takeshi Iwaya, who recently took office as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, was congratulated on this occasion by the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister, who wished him success in his new position.

At the end of the meeting, Mihai Popșoi invited Takeshi Iwaya to participate in the opening of the Moldovan Wine Exhibition that will be mounted on December 10 in Tokyo, and to visit Moldova next year.