Japan-Croatia Relations
Japan-Croatia Summit Meeting, Joint Press Occasion, and Dinner
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
1. Japan-Croatia Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On June 17, commencing at 6:10 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, during his working visit to Japan.
After welcoming Prime Minister Milanović as the first Croatian Prime Minister to visit Japan, Prime Minister Abe stated that he expressed his respect to Croatia, for overcoming the ethnic conflict at the time of independence, for making progress of reconstruction and ethnic reconciliation after the war, and for realizing EU accession two years ago. Subjects such as the bilateral relationship, Japan-EU Cooperation and Japan’s policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” were discussed.
(1) The Bilateral Relationship
Prime Minister Abe stated that, triggered by EU accession, Japanese business’s interest in Croatia is growing and expressed his anticipation of reaching concrete achievements in the economic sphere through this Prime Minister Milanović’s visit.
In addition, Prime Minister Abe stated that the number of Japanese tourist in Croatia has increased substantially, and welcomed the expansion of such exchange.
In response, Prime Minister Milanović said that in Croatia there is a large ongoing investment in the energy sector by a Japanese enterprise for the first time, and expressed his expectation that this project would become a benchmark for the future Japanese investments.
(2) Japan-EU Cooperation
The two leaders confirmed to cooperate in order to reach an agreement in principle on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by the end of this year, and the early conclusion of Strategic Partnership Agreement.
(3) Japan’s policy of Proactive Contribution to Peace
Prime Minister Abe explained that with its stance of the policy of ‘Proactive Contribution to Peace,’ Japan will contribute even more actively to the peace and stability of the region and international society.
In response, Prime Minister Milanović extended his understanding and support to Japan’s policy of ‘Proactive Contribution to Peace,’ and went on to express his anticipation of Japan’s further leadership in the international community.
2. Joint Press Occasion and Dinner
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(1) Following the summit meeting, the two Prime Ministers attended a joint press occasion.
(2) Thereafter, Prime Minister Abe hosted a dinner in a very friendly atmosphere, where the two leaders exchanged their views on a wide range of bilateral topics, including further deepening of economic ties and cultural aspects.