ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - The U.S. Secretary of State, Medeleine Albright, on Wednesday called on the new Croatian Government to continue on the path of democratic transformation in order to be fully integrated in Europe and the world
community. The path which Croatia has taken is the right path. Persist and remain on it while the United States will help you in every way it can, Albright said at her joint press conference with Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan in Zagreb. After she arrived in the Croatian capital on Wednesday afternoon, Albright held talks with two presidential candidates - Drazen Budisa and Stipe Mesic - and representatives of the non-governmental organisation GONG prior to her meeting with government officials. At the news conference, she announced that her country would increase assistance for Croatia to 20 million dollars this year. The U.S. State Secretary told rep
ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - The U.S. Secretary of State, Medeleine
Albright, on Wednesday called on the new Croatian Government to
continue on the path of democratic transformation in order to be
fully integrated in Europe and the world community.
The path which Croatia has taken is the right path. Persist and
remain on it while the United States will help you in every way it
can, Albright said at her joint press conference with Croatia's
Prime Minister Ivica Racan in Zagreb.
After she arrived in the Croatian capital on Wednesday afternoon,
Albright held talks with two presidential candidates - Drazen
Budisa and Stipe Mesic - and representatives of the non-
governmental organisation GONG prior to her meeting with
government officials.
At the news conference, she announced that her country would
increase assistance for Croatia to 20 million dollars this year.
The U.S. State Secretary told reporters that the clear
implementation of the Dayton peace accords, including the
extradition of war criminals, as well as making it possible for
refugees to return would remove obstacles on the path of Croatia's
admission to the Parthnership for Peace. She declined to say about a
time frame for Croatia's entry in that programme of NATO.
Premier Racan said the Croatian Government was resolute to meet all
international obligations and take "the most difficult steps at the
very beginning" so that the country can approach faster
EuroAtlantic associations.
"Croatia wants to be a good economic and political partner to
European and other countries" he said.
(hina) ms