HINA: Clinton's first visit to Croatia: mostly praise, some criticism

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday paid her first visit to Croatia and in talks with the country’s top officials gave strong support to Croatia’s EU accession on 1 July 2013

Clinton arrived in Croatia, which she considers an important NATO ally and the leader in Southeast Europe, after a tour of North Africa and Croatia’s neighbouring countries, encouraging them in joining the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Upon arriving at the Zagreb Airport, Clinton was taken to Banski dvori to meet with Prime Minister Zoran Milanović, where she signed the Golden Book.

“Croatia has a huge potential and we are optimistic about your future”, Clinton said during a meeting that was also attended by Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić.

The US Secretary of State congratulated the Croatian government on the steps taken to stabilise the budget and said there was great interest by the US companies in investing in Croatia.

Milanović and Clinton also discussed the forthcoming Croatia’s admission to the EU and the situation in the region. The prime minister underlined Croatia’s support for its neighbours’ Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

He also extended condolences over the victims of Superstorm Sandy, which hit the eastern coast of the US.

After her talks with Milanović, Clinton was received by President Ivo Josipović. She expressed strong support for Croatia’s joining the EU by July the following year, but said Croatia should continue implementing economic reforms and improve the investment climate for American and other investors.

“I am looking forward to Croatia’s accession to the EU”, said Clinton at a press conference which she held together with Josipović.

Asked whether, despite problems with Slovenia, Croatia would join the EU on 1 July 2013 as planned, Clinton said that both Josipović and Milanović had reassured her that Croatia would be ready for membership.

“We will continue to support Croatia’s path towards Europe”, Clinton said, describing Croatia as an anchor in the region and a prosperous country that can serve as a model to its neighbours.

Clinton said the US and Croatia were tied by a friendship and being part of the same cultural circle, as well as by a strong partnership in Afghanistan and the region. She added that the US had been supporting the Croatian people on the road to the Euro-Atlantic integration for 20 years now. She was, however, critical when asked about the investment climate in Croatia.

“You are an excellent country for investments. You have a great geographical position and an educated workforce. But we encourage you to cut down red tape, continue with the privatization and facilitate the starting up of new companies,” she said.

According to Clinton, Croatia must pursue economic reforms and become competitive in the Balkan and European markets. “If those reforms are applied, US investors will recognise it,” she said.

Clinton praised Zagreb for the fight against corruption, the strengthening of the rule of law and other achievements.

Josipović thanked the secretary of state for everything the US had done for Croatia. He told the press Clinton said US business people were very interested in economic cooperation.

"The Croatian government is preparing a series of measures to make it easier for investors to come to Croatia. I am sure that a large number of US investors will be interested in that," Josipović said.

Clinton finished the official part of her visit to Zagreb with a dinner which Minister Pusić gave for her on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning she departed from Zagreb Airport to Albania to attend the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence.

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