ZAGREB, May 15 (Hina) - A conference on South Eastern Europe is taking place in Tokyo on 15 and 16 May. At an invitation of the Japanese Government, Croatia's Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec is taking part in the
event. According to a statement released by the Croatian Foreign Ministry on Monday, the conference is being attended by representatives of the international community - the United Nations, Stability Pact, European Union, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe - and officials of south eastern European countries and G-8 member countries (seven most developed countries - Japan, France, Italy, Canada, Germany, U.S.A. and Great Britain plus Russia). The purpose of the Tokyo conference is to prepare conclusions about this European region for the G-8 summit, scheduled for this July in Okinawa. Opening the Tokyo event, Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kano pointed to the
ZAGREB, May 15 (Hina) - A conference on South Eastern Europe is
taking place in Tokyo on 15 and 16 May. At an invitation of the
Japanese Government, Croatia's Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna
Cvjetkovic-Kurelec is taking part in the event.
According to a statement released by the Croatian Foreign Ministry
on Monday, the conference is being attended by representatives of
the international community - the United Nations, Stability Pact,
European Union, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in
Europe - and officials of south eastern European countries and G-8
member countries (seven most developed countries - Japan, France,
Italy, Canada, Germany, U.S.A. and Great Britain plus Russia).
The purpose of the Tokyo conference is to prepare conclusions about
this European region for the G-8 summit, scheduled for this July in
Okinawa.
Opening the Tokyo event, Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kano
pointed to the friendly relations Japan was developing with south
eastern countries. In this context he recalled his 1995 visit to
Croatia.
Stability Pact Special Co-ordinator Bodo Hombach welcoming
Croatia's official Cvjetkovic-Kurelec, openly emphasised the
Croatia's important role in the implementation of the EU policy
towards south eastern European countries.
Giving a speech during the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister
Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec pointed to basic tasks and goals of the
new Government in Zagreb. She cited its priorities in foreign
affairs: to enter the EU and NATO, promote good relations with
neighbourly countries, cooperate within the Stability Pact, and to
further free trade and exchange of people and commodities.
She said that with the accession to the Partnership for Peace
Programme and its active participation in the Stability Pact,
Croatia had begun to accomplish its targeted goals and conveyed
Zagreb's hope to be admitted to the World Trade Organisation soon.
Kurelec added that south eastern Europe should see in Japan its
strategic partner for the 21st century.
(hina) jn ms