The US ambassador presented the certificate to Maraska CEO Josko Zavoreo at a ceremony held in the area between Zemunik Gornji and Zemunik Donji in the Zadar hinterland.
Maraska has planted 50,000 sour cherry trees in that area and by the end of December it will plant another 50,000 trees in sections which have been cleared and which are yet to be cleared of land mines.
Thanking the US ambassador and his country for having recognised the importance of the project, Zavoreo said that this was the biggest orchard in Europe.
Once the trees start bearing fruit, Maraska will increase the production of nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks from the maraska sour cherry, Zavoreo said, adding that the company would soon start producing sugar-free sour cherry juice, suitable for people suffering from diabetes.
He added that the US market was being tested for possible exports.
Zavoreo went on to say that the project would enable the return of refugees and their employment and that it was the result of efforts by the company, the Croatian government, donors from the United States, Norway, Italy and many others.
US Ambassador Bradtke said that the US government had invested USD18 million for mine removal projects in Croatia so far, including 2.2 million this year alone. We want Croatia to be completely mine-free, he said.
The US ambassador and his hosts visited new Maraska plants in Zadar.
Earlier in the day Bratdke met Serb returnees in Biljani Donji without the presence of the press. Later in the day, he was due to visit Skabrnja and lay a wreath at a monument to victims of the Serb aggression and talk with municipal leaders.