The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Dr Miomir Žužul, is taking part in the work of the 5th North-South European Economic Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 12 to 14 September 2004.

The Forum is divided in three parts: the first deals with the current developments in Europe, the second is dedicated to the relation between Turkey and the European Union, and the third part of the Forum discusses financing issues and forms such as loan programmes, public loans and forms of public and private partnership. The Forum is attended by numerous political and economic experts. Yesterday, Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus hosted the reception for the participants, and today's gathering was opened by Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas. Tomorrow, Minister Žužul has a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Antanas Valionis.

The Forum is an annual event. The first Forum took place in Istanbul in 2000. The 4th Forum took place last year in Croatia, on the Brijuni islands, and currently, five countries of Southeast Europe are competing to host the Forum in 2005.