- Published: 21.07.2023.
Minister Grlić Radman pays working visit to Japan
Grlić Radman and Hayashi also discussed relations with the EU and NATO, the Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Indo-Pacific and in Southeast Europe. Grlić Radman recalled that in October Zagreb would host an international donor conference on humanitarian mine action in Ukraine, which is expected to be attended by Japan. The two ministers underscored satisfaction with the new momentum in Croatia-Japan economic relations as well as with continued investments in energy, high-tech and digital sector, and green transition.
Grlić Radman announced Croatia’s attendance at Expo 2025 in Osaka, emphasizing that OECD membership is one of Croatia’s most important foreign policy goal, which has Japan’s full support. “We see room for enhancing relations in development cooperation with third countries, notably Ukraine and the Western Balkans, as well as with countries in which Japan is strongly involved with its development cooperation projects, for example in Southeast or East Asia,” he said.
The two ministers signed an air services agreement that will enable direct flights and closer economic cooperation between Croatia and Japan. Direct flights will significantly contribute to the tourist exchange and facilitate economic and other forms of cooperation. They will also help boost Croatia’s cooperation with other countries in the Far East, notably members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
On the first day of his visit, Grlić Radman also held talks with Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, which plays an important role in promoting global dialogue and cooperation. They discussed establishing cooperation with government and non-government stakeholders in Croatia and the use of the Foundation’s expertise on projects in the Western Balkans.