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Japan

Meeting between Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula

Joint Press Release

November 7, 2002

1. Mr. Tonino Picula, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, visiting Japan to attend the Seminar on the Promotion of the Investments in Southeastern Europe co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Japan Institute of International Affairs, had a meeting today with Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and discussed a wide range of issues of both bilateral and international dimensions.

2. Expressing their satisfaction over the steady development of Japan-Croatia relations and referring to the recent visit of H.I.H Princess Sayako to Croatia as an important step toward the promotion of relations between the two countries, both Ministers mutually confirmed their intention to make joint efforts to further develop the friendly relations.

3.Both Ministers shared the view that they further enhance political dialogue between the two countries, including the enhancement of the exchange of the visits of their officials between the Foreign Ministries of both countries. Minister Picula emphasized the opportunities for direct and greenfield investments in industry and tourism in Croatia, especially considering its economic potential in the region.

4. With regard to situations in the Balkans, Minister Kawaguchi expressed the view that the overall situation in the region was becoming relatively stabilized though it still needed close observation, and she reiterated Japan's continued engagement with the region. Also, both Ministers exchanged their views on the issue of the indictment against Gen. Bobetko by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and Minister Picula expressed the Croatian government's commitment to fully cooperate with ICTY.

5. Minister Picula expressed his gratitude for Japan's assistance to Croatia implemented in the past years and his strong wish for the vitalization of Japanese studies in Croatia. Minister Kawaguchi showed that Japan was prepared to extend further assistance of approximately 300,000 US dollars to the Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC) for its demining related activities.

6. Both Ministers expressed their intention to cooperate actively within the United Nations and other international organizations. Both Ministers took note of the important role of the United Nations for international peace, stability and prosperity, and stressed the need for the early realization of the United Nations reforms, inter alia, the Security Council reform including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In this context, Minister Picula reiterated Croatia's support for Japan's becoming a permanent member of the council.

7. Both Ministers exchanged their views on the issues relating to Europe, including the enlargement of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Minister Picula stressed the importance of the reforms Croatia had been undertaking in order to meet the EU as well as the NATO membership requirements.