Ties Between The U.S. And Croatia Excellent - State Department

The relations between the United States and Croatia are excellent and the two countries closely cooperate in a series of matters, a senior official of the U.S. State Department said in Washington on Thursday.
The relations between Croatia and the United States are excellent, said Rosemary DiCarlo, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, while responding to questions by Croatian reporters.

In the context of the close bilateral cooperation, she said that Croatia was a very good partner in Afghanistan and that the United States were grateful for the job the Croatian contingent had done there.

Commenting on the December 2005 apprehension of the retired Croatian general Ante Gotovina, who had been wanted by the UN war crimes tribunal, DiCarlo said that this marked the improvement of the relations between Croatia and the United States.

I believe that with the arrest of General Gotovina, Croatia has really turned a new page, DiCarlo said.

She assessed that Croatia was making good progress on its road towards the European Union.

The U.S. official praised Croatia's efforts to develop good relations and cooperation in southeastern Europe.

She dismissed some speculation that Croatia's refusal to sign an agreement with Washington on non-extradition of U.S. citizens to the International Criminal Court was an obstacle for improving relations between Zagreb and her country and that it was a reason for not so strong support of the United States to Croatia's bid to join NATO.

Article 98 is not a precondition for a candidate's admission to NATO, she explained adding that the conclusion fo the agreement, however, was a requirement for U.S military assistance.


Friday , 14 April 2006

Croatian News Agency-HINA