Photo/Illutration Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic (Reuters)

In a rare and symbolic display of international diplomacy, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic held a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in fluent Japanese at his office in Tokyo on May 28.

Spajic impressed his Japanese counterpart and officials by conducting the meeting and subsequent luncheon entirely in Japanese.

“Our two countries share values such as the rule of law, democracy, multilateralism, peace and prosperity,” he said. “We fully support Japan’s vision of a free and open international order.”

As a scholarship recipient of the Japanese government, he studied at Saitama University, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Spajic’s visit coincides with the Balkan country’s National Day celebration at the Osaka Kansai Expo.

“This is a meeting that will go down in history,” Ishiba said, noting the rarity of a foreign head of state engaging in direct dialogue in Japanese.

The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral relations between their countries, including Japan’s lifting of short-visit visa requirements from Montenegro starting this autumn.

“Your experience studying in Japan provides a truly encouraging foundation for further developing the relationship between our two nations,” Ishiba added.

He also expressed his support for Montenegro’s continued efforts to join the European Union.

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