Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović handed credentials to US President George W. Bush

Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović expressed satisfaction with the importance of the two countries’ strategic partnership, pointing out significance of the US President’s recent visit to Croatia, as well as the US administration’s support for Croatia’s receiving the NATO membership invitation at the last week’s NATO Summit in Bucharest.

President Bush described in very positive terms the development of bilateral relations, stressing that Croatia is an important strategic partner of the US and a future NATO ally. President Bush also pointed out that Croatia is an example for South Eastern Europe in terms of the comprehensive reforms the Croatian Government has undertaken so far on its path towards the Euro-Atlantic integration. He commended Croatia’s participation in international peacekeeping operations, as well as its taking part in the antiterrorist coalition. President Bush expressed his conviction in the continuation of the excellent co-operation with Croatia during its mandate in the UN Security Council.

President Bush also thanked Croatian President Stjepan Mesić and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, as well as the Croatian citizens, for the warm welcome during his recent visit to Croatia.