ZAGREB, March 19 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and the United States are "relations of partnership and cooperation," although certain differences in views regarding a particular problem could occur among friends. This, however,
have no bearing on established cooperation mechanisms or existing agreement regarding key issues of international relations, the Croatian foreign ministry said Wednesday.
ZAGREB, March 19 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and the United
States are "relations of partnership and cooperation," although
certain differences in views regarding a particular problem could
occur among friends. This, however, have no bearing on established
cooperation mechanisms or existing agreement regarding key issues
of international relations, the Croatian foreign ministry said
Wednesday. #L#
This was a ministry reaction to the statement given by U.S.
Ambassador to Croatia, Lawrence Rossin, to today's issue of the
Globus weekly.
"Ambassador Rossin's statement is undoubtedly disappointing to a
certain extent, but it should be viewed in the context of the
current tense political circumstances. The Croatian government
expects Croatian-US relations to continue developing in line with
mutual interests and to the benefit of both nations. Our
cooperation has been on a constant line of assent. We solved issues
in which we had differing views through direct contacts, not
through the media, to the satisfaction of both sides," the ministry
says in its press release.
The government's stand on the Iraqi crisis is well-known, and
Croatia has expressed its support to a military intervention in
Iraq if it is carried out on the basis of an adequate resolution of
the UN Security Council. Zagreb has also asserted that it will
fulfil all of its assumed obligations, says the ministry.
Croatia will continue to be active in the international anti-
terrorist coalition and will follow commitments assumed pursuant
to a government decision of February 26, the ministry says.
Also, Croatia is interested in joining the post-conflict
normalisation of the situation and reconstruction of Iraq, and is
mulling a possibility of becoming involved in humanitarian
activities after the conflict starts.
"Croatia, just like a large number of other countries, does not, nor
does it want to, treat the expression of stances about the crisis in
Iraq as taking sides between the US and EU. Croatia pays great
importance to the development of relations with all
democratically-oriented countries and strongly advocates a stable
transatlantic alliance," says the press release.
(hina) lml sb