Korea-Croatia Association is expected to be launched soon to promote bilateral relations in terms of non-governmental level.

Since presenting his credentials, Croatia Amb. Damir KUSEN hosted his first National Day reception in partnership with the Korea Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group at the National Assembly Members' Office Building Lobby last Wendesday afternoon.

Croatia Statehood day is a day which commemorates the Parliament adopted its decision about Croatia Republic's independence & sovereignty and declared its country independence from the former Soviet Union.

Touching upon that he is very honored & privileged to be appointed as first resident Ambassador in the Republic of Korea, KUSEN pointed out: "Our national day provides us with an important opportunity to reflect what we achieved during last 28 years since its independence and what we will be able to do for the future generations".

Since long time ago, Croatia has been favored as a traditional tourism destination in Europe. With such facts in mind, KUSEN said Incheon-Zagreb direct flights by Korean Air contributed greatly for about 410,000 Korean tourists to visit Croatia last year, adding Korean peoples chose Croatia as one of their tourism destinations they would like to visit most among Europe countries.

As President of the Korea Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Rep. Park Joo-sun from the National Assembly pointed out: "Korea needs to pay attention to the fact that Croatia posseses excellent manpower for further cooperations despite of its small populations amounting about 4.25 million".

In that regard, Croatia's political & economic role also are being attentioned as its geographical pivotol location linking Central West Europe and South East Europe, Park added.

On the other hand, Korean Amb. Kim Dong-chan to Croatia presented his Credentials to H.E. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović at her Presidential Palace on June 27.

Also according to the Embassy of Croatia in Seoul, Croatia President said in her Address by the President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar Kitarović at the Official Reception for Statehood Day: "Undoubtedly, the presence of Croatia’s name, anthem, coat of arms and banner in the seats of international fora and sports competitions is today the most visible sign of our historic success. But this should not be taken for granted. The State is not just about having pride; it is also an obligation. In other words, in order to have a State as a permanent safe harbour for the realization of our personal and national potentials and the fulfilment of life’s needs, we need to combine and utilize our advantages more effectively: the geopolitical position of our Homeland and its location on traffic corridors, its natural resources, our extremely important national, historic role in Europe and the wonderful qualities of our spirited people. These are the fundamentals of our inner cohesion, our fellowship. On these grounds and in the material, organizational and spiritual sense, we need to strengthen our sovereignty and the way in which we make our own decisions about national and State interests."