The Chair of the National Assembly, Mihail Mikov, has received, on February 12, 2014, Mr. Takao Makino, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

During the talks it was confirmed that Bulgaria and Japan maintain, as a matter of tradition, good and friendly relations and contacts at the highest political level. The present year will mark the 55th anniversary since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

It was underscored that the contacts between the two parliaments are particularly active and useful in the process of the bilateral dialogue. This year a visit from members of the Friendship Group with Bulgaria in the Japanese Parliament will take place.

The Head of Parliament, Mihail Mikov, underscored that the membership of Bulgaria in the European Union provides opportunities to bring at a new level the relations between Bulgaria and Japan – with potential open for deepening the economic, scientific and research contacts and investments. In the words of Mikov, the Japanese investors could use Bulgaria as a gate to the European market.

The Japanese guest pointed to the fields of Medicine, Biotechnology and Tourism as being of greatest interest for both countries.