PICULA MEETS INCOMING US AMBASSADOR ROSSIN

ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula met the incoming US Ambassador to Croatia, Lawrence Rossin, on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Picula informed the US ambassador about last year's achievements of Croatia's foreign policy, in particular about the process of the country's Euro-Atlantic integration and active contribution to the stabilisation of the region. The foreign minister said Croatia wanted the international community to judge it by its achievements and results, although it was aware of its role and influence in the democratisation and stabilisation of its environment. Washington highly appreciates Croatia's progress, Rossin said. Croatia must continue to be an example for countries in the region and a forerunner of democracy and progress, he added. The US ambassador believes the international community should be made aware of the fact that Croatia is not in a state of crisis, but that Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, in particular Kosovo and some other states are in crisis. The two sides discussed some of Croatia's main goals for this year, such as the conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union and the submitting of a Membership Action Plan to NATO, which will make Croatia a NATO membership candidate, the statement read. (hina) rml