Speaking to Croatian reporters after meeting Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, the minister said that they had agreed that relations between the two countries were constantly improving and that there was still room for expanding cooperation, particularly with regard to security in Southeast Europe.
Describing her talks with the US official as very open, Grabar Kitarovic said it would be useful for Croatia to play a leading role in efforts to enhance stability and security in Southeast Europe and that Croatia should not worry that such initiatives hide an attempt to restore the former Yugoslavia.
Regional cooperation will contribute to Croatia's joining the EU and NATO as soon as possible and positively affect its credit rating and tourist sector as well as foreign investment.
Over the last ten years Southeast Europe has achieved stability, but in 2006 it faces a number of challenges, including the final definition of Kosovo's status, a referendum on Montenegro's independence and constitutional changes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the minister said.
The United States expects Croatia to actively support those processes so that outstanding issues in the neighbouring countries are solved peacefully and through talks, she added.
Speaking of Croatia-US relations, the minister said that there was room for improving economic and military cooperation.
She added that the United States welcomed Prime Minister Ivo Sanader's visit to Moldavia and his initiative on the enlargement of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).