Second political consultations between the Republic of Croatia Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry of Japan held in Zagreb

Assistant Minister Margeta and Vice-Director General Maruyama confirmed good political relations, without any remaining open issues, to which good exchange of visits on high levels contributed significantly. Both sides agreed that improvement of still not developed enough bilateral economy co-operation was needed, not just in economy but in other fields as well, particularly tourism.

Presentation of the Republic of Croatia at the World Exhibition EXPO 2005 in Japan, which attracted a great number of visitors, was assessed as successful and significant for the general promotion of Croatia and its tourism. Assistant Minister Margeta and Vice-Director General Maruyama expressed their interest in the improvement of future co-operation in the fields of culture, education and science, to which a three-year course in Japanese language and culture at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb would contribute as well.

The delegations stressed good co-operation on the multilateral level, and exchanged their opinions on the reform of United Nations, particularly the United Nation's Security Council. The Republic of Croatia asked Japan to support its candidacy for the non-permanent member to the United Nations Security Council, in the period 2008/2009. Opinions on the situations in the regions and on the regional co-operation were exchanged as well. Assistant Minister Margeta made the Japanese delegation familiar with the Republic of Croatia's activities undertaken so far in order to join the Euro-Atlantic integrations.