Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawagichi highlighted the basic elements of the initiative and said another 12 countries need to ratify the treat for it to go into force. She expressed satisfaction with the fact that a large number of minister attended the meeting which was the sign of political support to the CTBT.
In his speech, minister Zuzul said Croatia had ratified the CTBT and supported multilateral and regional meeting aimed at accelerating the treaty's implementation.
Zuzul also took part in a meeting organised by the UN Permanent Mission in Chile, the Union of Democracies, chaired by Chilean Foreign Minister Maria Soledad Alvear, which focused on the activities of the union within the frameworks of the United Nations.
The Chilean minister said the Union of Democracies was helping initiatives aimed at the strengthening of democracies in the world.
At the meeting, the Croatian foreign minister supported the setting up of a democratic fund in the United Nations, moved by U.S. President George W. Bush. He also said he would take part in the third ministerial conference in Chile scheduled for May 2005.
During his stay in New York, Zuzul also held talks with the Prime Minister of Malta, Lawrence Gonzi, the Foreign Ministry said in the statement.