Minister Grabar-Kitarovic meets with Undersecretary of State Burns
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who is on a visit to the US, met on Thursday, 16 February 2006, at the State Department with Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, with whom she discussed the bilateral relations between Croatia and the US, and Croatia's role in the South East Europe. Minister Grabar-Kitarovic and Undersecretary of State Burns described the bilateral relations between the two countries as very good and on the rise, but that the frameworks of co-operation could be improved in the fields of common interest, such as security and defence co-operations. Minister Grabar-Kitarovic said she believes that joining NATO is based on each country's individual achievements, adding that Croatia expects a strong signal from NATO as early as the Riga Summit this November, based on its individual achievements. Minister Grabar-Kitarovic informed Undersecretary of State Burns about the Croatian Parliament's decision to increase the Croatian forces in Afghanistan this year, as a part of NATO's six-month ISAF peace keeping mission. Minister Grabar-Kitarovic announced the possibility of a number of Iraqi diplomats being educated at the Diplomatic Academy of the Croatian MFAEI. Minister Grabar-Kitarovic and Undersecretary of State Burns also discussed the situation in the region, Burns stating that Croatia's position in the region is important and inevitable, especially in its contribution to the regional stability, security, and co-operation.
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