Ukraine, Kiev / Тrend corr Z. Novosvitski / The Japanese Foreign Ministry appointed a Special Representative for GUAM Affairs as a result of a decision made by the Japanese Government.
"The Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura informed us of that decision. This is a very significant step which promotes cooperation between GUAM and Japan," Valeriy Chechelashvili said to Trend on 9 December.
A meeting took place between Japan and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Cooperation - GUAM in Tokyo on 4-6 December 2007. The meetings and consultations involved the Secretary General of GUAM Valeriy Chechelashvili and the National Coordinators of GUAM countries. Japan was represented by its Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, the Deputy Foreign Minister Masakatsu Koike, and the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Special Representative on GUAM Keiiti Katakami.
Speaking on the availability of cooperation between GUAM and Japan, the Ukrainian National Coordinator to GUAM, who is also the Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Veselovski said to Trend that " Japan is interested in the markets of GUAM countries. And we in turn are interested in attracting Japanese investments to our countries."