Minister Picula met the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell...

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Tonino Picula, met the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, in Tirana on 2 May 2003.

Minister Picula informed State Secretary Powell about the situation in Croatia and the efforts invested by the Government of the Republic of Croatia in the implementation of the necessary reforms, as well as about Croatia's joining the EU and NATO. State Secretary Powell expressed the U.S. support to further integration of the Republic of Croatia into the Euro-Atlantic structures and its positive role in the region, and he pointed out that the U.S.A. highly appreciated Croatia's active role in the antiterrorist coalition.

They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, and Minister Picula reiterated Croatia's interest in participating in the normalisation of the situation and alleviation of the effects of the war. State Secretary Powell expressed his gratitude to Croatia for the support rendered to the U.S.A. in the past period, particularly for the humanitarian aid for Iraq which, as he said, has not only a material but also a great symbolic importance.

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