Japan Visits ITF's Headquarters

On 13 September ITF Director Amb Lovrenčič welcomed Mr Kotaro Otsuki, Director of Central and South Eastern Europe Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Ms Yuki Tanaka, First Secretary at Embassy of Japan in Slovenia at the ITF headquarters in Ig. Amb Lovrenčič took this opportunity to present ITF’s scope of activities across the various areas of humanitarian mine action and the successful cooperation with Japan.

As Mr Otsuki is appointed for South Eastern Europe, the presentation and discussion was mainly focused on the issues and possible initiatives in the Western Balkans. With the vast experience of ITF in the region, Amb Lovrenčič pointed out the support of Japan with projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine and possibilities of cooperation in Serbia. With the existing successful cooperation, ITF Director and Mr Otsuki discussed possible further cooperation in the region.

After the meeting, ITF Director Amb Lovrenčič invited Mr Otsuki and Ms Tanaka to the nearby unexploded ordnance (UXO) museum for a quick tour. At the museum our colleague Mr Roman Turšič, Head of Temporary Implementation Office in Afghanistan and Libya, presented various stored UXOs, the activities of landmine clearance and equipment necessary for successful and safe work.