Japan-Croatia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

September 8, 2010
Japanese

Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting and a banquet with Mr. Gordan Jandroković, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia on September 8 (Wed) for about two hours from 6:30 p.m. at Iikura House. The two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, cooperation in the international arena, and regional and international affairs. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Bilateral relations

(1) Minister Okada welcomed Minister Jandroković’s first visit to Japan and expressed his respect for the rapid economic development of Croatia, formerly a part of Yugoslavia, into a stable power in southeastern Europe. Minister Okada noted the following two areas in which Japan and Croatia should enhance further political and economic cooperation.
　　(i) In the field of disaster prevention, Minister Okada stated that in addition to the cooperation between research institutions of the two countries currently under way, he intended to invite experts from southeast European countries within the current fiscal year to promote regional cooperation through disaster prevention.
　　(ii) In the field of economics, Minister Okada expressed his regard for Croatia’s various reforms and efforts to convert to a market economy, and stated his expectations that the economic relations of the two countries would expand through initiatives such as the Japan-Croatia economic forum scheduled in accordance with Minister Jandroković’s visit.

(2) Minister Jandroković expressed his appreciation for the invitation to visit Japan as well as for Japan’s economic cooperation in the past, especially for the assistance in removing mines. Additionally, Minister Jandroković stated that Croatia had become a member of NATO and was a stable power aiming to become a member of the EU. With bilateral relations deepening rapidly with the huge increase in Japanese tourists to Croatia and other factors, Minister Jandroković expressed his hopes that bilateral relations in the economic field would expand.
UN Security Council

Minister Okada stated that Japan would make efforts toward an early realization of the UN Security Council reform from the viewpoint of strengthening the function of the United Nations. Minister Jandroković responded by reiterating Croatia’s support for Japan’s bid to become a permanent member of the Security Council.
Regional and international affairs

(1) Situation in Afghanistan
Minister Okada stated that the stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan was a priority issue for the peace and stability of the entire international community and that Japan would continue to provide assistance with immediate effect in cooperation with the international community. He also expressed his gratitude for Croatia’s support to the Chaghcharan PRT. In response, Minister Jandroković explained Croatia’s assistance for Afghanistan. The two ministers confirmed that they would explore possibilities for cooperation on assistance for Afghanistan.

(2) The two ministers also exchanged views on the international affairs such as the situation in southeastern Europe and China.

(END)

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