The ambassadors of the United States, Romania and Hungary, Ralph Frank, Oana Cristina Popa and Laszlo Mohai, who took part in the forum, said that the Croatian public should be informed better about the process of admission and what Croatia would gain by that process.
We are glad about the progress Croatia has made in reforms, but we believe that efforts also should be made to provide the public with better information on the benefits of NATO, the US ambassador said.
There is lack of understanding about NATO in the Croatian media, Frank said, adding that it should be underlined that NATO represented collective defence, brought relative peace and economic growth.
Members of the Croatian public should be informed that although they adopt unanimous decisions about every action, NATO countries each decide how they will act, Frank said.
He welcomed Croatia's efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Croatia is participating in the training of local forces.
Hungarian Ambassador Laszlo Mohai said more work was needed to bring NATO closer to the public and make NATO acceptable and recognisable.
NATO membership is in the interests of Croatia, Hungary and other countries in the region, Mohai said.
Romanian Ambassador Oana Cristina Popa described her country's road to NATO.