Japan to allow visa-free visits from Montenegro to boost exchanges
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday told his Montenegrin counterpart Milojko Spajic about a plan to start visa exemptions for short-term visitors from the Balkan nation to boost bilateral exchanges.
Calling Montenegro "an extremely important partner that share values and principles," Ishiba also agreed with Spajic to work together to uphold a "free and open" international order based on the rule of law, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
The planned launch of the visa-free scheme for Montenegrin passport holders from Sept. 1 is expected to facilitate exchanges of people between the two countries, Ishiba was quoted as saying during the meeting in Tokyo.
He also said Japan will support Montenegro, a NATO member, in its goal to join the European Union by 2028, the ministry said.
Spajic, who has studied and worked in Japan and is visiting the country to attend the ongoing World Exposition in Osaka, said in Japanese at the outset of the meeting that he supports Tokyo's strategy to defend freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and hopes that bilateral economic ties will deepen.
Later in the day, Ishiba met with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, who is also visiting Japan for the expo, and agreed to advance their cooperation, such as in the field of space, the Japanese ministry said.
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