TIRANA – RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blanuša met on Thursday with the Ambassador of Japan to Albania H. E. Mr Makoto Ito when they discussed the possible ways of cooperation between RYCO and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was held in the RYCO Head Office in Tirana.
Mr Blanuša presented the organization and its goals. He underlined the achieved results of RYCO such as the first Open Call for Project Proposals as well as the Strategic Plan that was published recently and created in cooperation with a number of stakeholders.
On the other hand, Mr Ito presented the possibilities for cooperation between the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and RYCO.
RYCO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan are planning to cooperate in concrete terms in the framework of the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative, started in January 2018 by the Ministry, aiming to support socio-economic reforms in the Western Balkans and facilitate reconciliation by promoting cooperation in the region.
The MFA of Japan has been enabling young leaders to take part in exchange visits to build basis for future friendships through the MIRAI Program (Mutual-understanding, Intellectual Relations and Academic Exchange Initiative). This year, the program will be tailor made for participants coming only from the WB6 giving the possibility to 18 youngsters to deepen their understanding of Japan and its policy through intercultural dialogue and learning. Details on the program will be published in September 2018.