EXPO in Osaka: Croatia advocates closer EU-Japan cooperation

Croatia advocates for "even closer cooperation between the European Union and Japan," stated Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman on Sunday, during a meeting with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Hisayuki Fujii on the sidelines of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

"Croatia sees Japan as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. We share common values of freedom and democracy, and a respect for the international rules-based order," said Grlić Radman.

He added that they also discussed "further strengthening of bilateral relations between Croatia and Japan."

"In that context, we particularly emphasized the importance of Croatia's presence at the Expo in promoting the country in Japan," the minister said.

Expo 2025 Osaka is being held from April to October under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" on the artificial island of Yumeshima, which was purpose-built for the event.

More than 28 million visitors are expected, with participation from over 160 countries and international organizations.

Grlić Radman added that the exhibition's theme reflects Croatia's own priorities: sustainability, innovation, digitalization, and the green transition, and that he came to Osaka to support Croatia's participation in the event.

The Croatian pavilion is designed as a multi-sensory space that showcases the diversity of Croatia's climate zones, featuring an innovative thermal system that merges real-time weather conditions from both Croatia and Japan.

"This Croatian pavilion, based on the concept 'Croatia - Climate Diversity', represents a blend of our natural diversity, expertise, and creativity," said the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.

Grlić Radman also noted that Croatia's National Day at the Expo will be celebrated on September 21, when a delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković is expected to attend.

During his visit to the Expo, the minister toured not only the Croatian and Japanese pavilions but also those of Ukraine, Slovenia, China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Italy, and others - highlighting that the event presents an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas for a more sustainable and innovative future.

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