Delegation of Belgrade, Yokohama discuss cooperation

BELGRADE - The delegations of the City of Belgrade and the Japanese City of Yokohama discussed mutual cooperation on Wednesday, especially in the areas of infrastructure, culture and tourism.

Belgrade Deputy Mayor Andreja Mladenovic told a news conference in Stari Dvor that the delegations also discussed cooperation in education, adding that guests from Japan will also meet with representatives of Belgrade University concerning the matter.

Mladenovic said that representatives of Yokohama expressed interest in the functioning of the water supply and sewage system in Belgrade, as well as the waste water treatment.

Belgrade can present Yokohama and Japan with an attractive tourist offer, he said and expressed the hope that the cooperation between the two cities would continue and produce tangible results.

He recalled that Japan has so far donated 93 buses to Belgrade and offered great assistance in medicine, education and other projects at the times when Serbia was facing severe hardships.

Yokohama Deputy Mayor Katsunori Watanabe said that he has come to Belgrade at the invitation of Mayor Sinisa Mali and added that the Serbian capital left a deep impression on him.

The history of Yokohama cannot come close to the long history of Belgrade but Yokohama managed to develop in a short period of time and we now have the knowledge and experiences we would be glad to exchange with Belgrade, Watanabe said and expressed the hope that the citizens of Belgrade and people of Yokohama will establish eternal friendship and cooperation.

He recalled that Serbia sent substantial assistance to Japan three years ago when Japan was hit by a fierce tsunami, and expressed sincere gratitude to Serbia for this aid on...