Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić met in Tokyo with Akihiko Tanaka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who expressed interest in financing infrastructure projects in Montenegro, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
During his visit to JICA headquarters, Spajić highlighted the “very successful cooperation” between Montenegro and Japan in the fields of culture and disaster risk reduction, expressing hope that joint projects in these areas would continue. In response, Tanaka pointed to Montenegro’s strong democratic governance and improved fiscal stability as solid foundations for advancing transport infrastructure and major capital projects.
On the topic of tourism promotion, Tanaka praised Montenegro’s participation in the upcoming EXPO 2025 as highly effective and noted that Spajić’s visit to Japan had sparked significant public interest.
“Celebrating Montenegro’s National Day was a major success, and your visit is among the most discussed topics in Japan. You are Montenegro’s best ambassador,” said Tanaka.
Both sides agreed that the visit laid the groundwork for expanding economic and tourism cooperation. Spajić emphasized that while past collaboration had focused mainly on culture and disaster protection, conditions are now in place to broaden ties, especially in infrastructure development and investment attraction.
This visit underscores how strategic diplomacy, when combined with credible reforms at home, can open doors for long-term partnerships.
Japan’s recognition of Montenegro’s democratic progress and fiscal responsibility isn’t just a compliment it’s a green light for deeper engagement. What stands out is how visibility on the global stage, even through cultural events and symbolic gestures like National Day celebrations, can translate into real economic opportunity. Spajić’s ability to position Montenegro as a stable and attractive partner shows that small countries can shape big narratives if they play their cards right.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
