Japan-Croatia Relations

　On September 21, commencing at 9:50 a.m. (New York time; 10:50 p.m. on the same day, Japan time) for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting New York to attend the 72nd United Nations (UN) General Assembly, held his first summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Prime Minister Abe stated that the next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Croatia, and he hopes to, taking this opportunity, strengthen not only bilateral cooperation but also cooperation in the international arena as well as in the context of the Japan-European Union (EU) relationship. Prime Minister Plenkovic replied that Japan is a great friend and he intends to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
2. Prime Minister Abe explained that North Korea launched a ballistic missile through the skyabove Japan again on September 15, and also belligerently conducted its sixth nuclear test, and its actions pose an unprecedented, grave and imminent threat to the security of the international community. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that the abductions issue is a top-priority for his administration, and he counts on Croatia’s understanding and cooperation for an early resolution of the issue. In response, Prime Minister Plenkovic explained that Croatia clearly and consistently supports UN Security Council resolutions with regard to North Korea, and intends to continue to cooperate within the EU.
3. In addition, the two leaders shared the view that they will continue to work together to further advance the Japan-Croatia relationship.