Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Grabar-Kitarović visiting US, 15 February 2006

Minister Grabar-Kitarović thanked Senator John McCain for his support to the Senate’s recent resolution recommending that Croatia be admitted into NATO as soon as possible. Minister Grabar-Kitarović informed Senator John McCain about Croatia’s position towards the political processes in the South East Europe, pointing out that Croatia is primarily interested in maintaining the peace and stability in SEE, and in that regard is willing to assume its part of the responsibility for the region’s stability and continue to give its contribution through the co-operation with the US and the international community.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović received the Presidential Medal at the George Washington University, where she graduated from the pre-doctoral studies in international relations. George Washington University’s Presidential Medal is the highest award given by the University’s President himself to a person who achieved great success in the field of international relations. Other holders of the Medal include Vaclav Havel, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Ferenc Gyurcsany. Minister Grabar-Kitarović held a speech laying out Croatia’s basic foreign policy priorities.

In her presentation at the Women’s Foreign Policy Group entitled Croatia’s Progress: Foreign Policy Priorities and Partnerships, Minister Grabar-Kitarović presented Croatia’s chief foreign policy goals – full EU and NATO membership, and laid out Croatia’s foreign policy position in the region, relations with the neighbours, as well as Croatia’s goals and position on a global scale, pointing out its intention to become a non-permanent member to the Security Council 2008-2009. Minister Grabar-Kitarović also presented Croatia’s geographical and economic characteristics, as well as the ongoing reform processes with the aim of joining the EU and NATO, describing Croatia as the region’s leader in Euro-integration processes.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also met with Congressman Peter Visclosky, who is also the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Croatian Caucus and one of the initiators of the Congress’ Resolution recommending that Croatia be admitted into NATO as soon as possible.