Our common goal is to create a broader, deeper and more developed relationship. To achieve this, we need a stronger foundation, and the key area is economic cooperation, Bradtke said at a business lunch with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia.
Bradtke said that for the promotion of economic cooperation it was important that Croatia should continue implementing a balanced macroeconomic policy and ensure a stable business environment in order to increase its investment and trade competitiveness.
Croatia should continue implementing reforms, because their successful implementation would encourage US companies to do business in Croatia, he said.
He said it was important for Croatia to reduce the government's role in the economy, complete the privatisation process, carry out judicial reform, continue combating corruption, and ensure transparent public procurement and market competition.
Speaking of the Sanader-Bush meeting, the US ambassador said it was the result of hard work over many years both in Washington and in Croatia, noting that the improvement in relations between Croatia and the US did not happen overnight.
There are two key reasons why our relations are now better than ever before and why we are now heading towards a new, higher level of our relationship, and those are the progress Croatia has made in implementing political and economic reforms and its role in Southeast Europe and outside the region, Bradtke said.
The US regards Croatia as a model of democracy and stability in Southeast Europe and as a country that helps other nations follow its example. Croatia can play a positive role in dealing with the work that is yet to be completed in this part of the world, he said, referring to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Bradtke also cited Croatia's contribution to the NATO-led peace mission in Afghanistan and its participation in 11 UN peace missions.