National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae has requested Croatia’s cooperation in allowing South Korean firms to take part in the central European country’s project to modernize its ports.

Park made the request on Thursday in Zagreb when he met with Croatian President Ivo Josipović, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebić.

Park said that should the accession process of Croatia into the European Union be completed as forecast, the country’s trade volume with South Korea will likely grow significantly.

Park also requested that their countries promote expanded relations, as next year marks the 20th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic ties.

During Thursday's talks, the Croatian president proposed that his country and South Korea expand exchanges in tourism and revealed plans to establish a Croatian embassy in South Korea.