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Visit of the President of the National Assembly Ms Urška Klakočar Zupančič to Japan, 26-30 September 2022

The President of the National Assembly, Ms Urška Klakočar Zupančič visited Japan from 26 to 30 September 2022, where she attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. On behalf of the Republic of Slovenia, she expressed condolences to Prime Minister Kishida, Foreign Minister Hayashi, and Mrs. Akie Abe. The funeral ceremony was also attended by the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Miroslav Cerar.

During her visit, the President met with representatives of Japan, namely the Speaker of the Lower House of the Japanese Parliament, Mr. Hiroyuki Hosoda, the Japan-Slovenia Parliamentary Friendship Group and its President, Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, the Governor of Tokyo, Ms. Yuriko Koike, and the Minister responsible for Women's Empowerment, Gender Equality and Children's Rights, Mr. Masanobu Ogura. The President of the National Assembly, Ms. Ms Klakočar Zupančič also met with the Speaker of the Estonian Parliament, Mr Jüri Ratas, and the Speaker of the Romanian Parliament, Mr Marcel Ciolacu, as well as representatives of the Japan-Slovenia Business Council.

President Ms. Klakočar Zupančič was also interviewed by Kyodo News and attended the reception with Slovenians and friends of Slovenia at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tokyo.

In her talks with the Japanese representatives, President Ms Klakočar Zupančič highlighted the excellent relations between Slovenia and Japan, as both countries share the same values and cooperate in the cultural, scientific, sport, political and economic fields. This year, the two countries are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations. The President stressed the importance of maintaining the friendship in the future. She expressed Slovenia's support for an open and free Indo-Pacific. In particular, she stressed the importance of respect for fundamental values, the rule of law and the international order based on the rule of law. She expressed the need to work together in order to establish peace in the world.