First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić 15 April received the incoming ambassadors of Japan, Keiji Ide, and Mongolia, Gunaajav Batjargal, as well as the outgoing ambassador of Albania, Pellumb Qazimi.
Ambassador Ide commended Croatia’s activities in the region, as they contribute to peace, stability and economic progress of the entire Southeast Europe. He said that during his term he would focus on four areas: bilateral relations, joint Japanese-Croatian cooperation with the countries in the region, Croatian-Japanese cooperation in multilateral forums, as well as cooperation in human rights and development of democracy, pointing out Japan’s interest in cooperation in preventing sexual violence in conflict and helping the victims, adding that Japan was willing to participate in founding an international fund for victims of sexual violence.
Pusić welcomed the Japanese side’s interest in the project of thermal power plant Plomin C and expressed satisfaction with the growing number of Japanese tourist visiting Croatia. She thanked for the projects of humanitarian and development assistance, as well as Japan’s donations that Japan had been making to Croatia for years now. She informed Ide about the cross-border projects that are being implemented or planned, such as the Adriatic Provence, adding that Japan could get involved too.
Ambassador Batjargal congratulated Croatia on joining the EU, emphasizing the good Croatian-Mongolian relations, which have potential for even better cooperation, notably in the area of economy. Pusić expressed Croatia’s interest in a more intensive appearance on the Mongolian market in the area of agriculture, food processing, timber industry and most notably pharmaceuticals, given the large potential (the Genera company is already exporting its veterinary vaccines to Mongolia). Apart from bilateral relations, Pusić and Batjargal also discussed the situation in the region, namely Ukraine.
Albanian Ambassador Quazimi thanked Pusić for the long-standing, excellent and constructive cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, as well as continuous support for Albania’s European integration. He congratulated Croatia on all its achievements, adding that the Albanian government and foreign minister especially appreciated what Croatia was doing for the region. Pusić thanked Quazimi for the advancement of bilateral relations, adding that Croatia would continue to support Albania along its European path and would advocate that Albania be granted candidate status as soon as possible. Quazimi underlined Croatia’s position towards the Albanian national minority, thanking for the support and financial aid. In regard to the region, Quazimi agreed that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s “status quo” needed to be resolved and commended Pusić for the initiative she had launched.