Sanader and Pataki underlined the important role of the Croat community in the building and development of New York and the United States, as well as its role as the bridge in the development of the two countries' relations.
Croats in the United States are considered "old immigrants" who participated in the infrastructure and industrial development of the US. First immigrants from Croatia to the State of New York were registered 120 years ago.
Croats have contributed to the building of New York and America as their second homeland, Guvernor Pataki said, adding that he visited Croatia in the late 1990s because of the American Croats and that he wanted to visit Croatia again not only officially but for vacation purposes as well.
Sanader informed Pataki of the priorities of Croatia's foreign policy and the country's path to NATO and the EU, underlining Croatia's contribution to the security and stability of the region.
The governor of New York said Croatia had become a strong democratic and free country and an important stability factor in this part of Europe. He also stressed the need for Croatia's admission into the EU as soon as possible.
Sanader expressed readiness for further development of good relations with the State of New York and leaders of the Republican Party that Pataki belongs to, stressing that Croatia would always maintain good relations with the United States regardless of which party would hold a majority in the Congress or the Senate.
The Croatian PM invited Pataki to officially visit Croatia which the governor accepted.
Sanader also visited the Croatian Catholic Mission in Astoria in Queens in New York where he met over 100 Croatian emigrants, the majority of whom moved to the US in the early 1960s.
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic was also expected in the Croatian Catholic Mission, but had to cancel his visit because of the reception given by former US president Bill Clinton.
Sanader relayed Mesic's regards and said that he and the president arrived in New York with an aim to strengthen Croatia's international position and lobby for Croatia's candidacy for a nonpermanent member of the US Security Council in 2008/2009.
Sanader also spoke about new measures of Croatia's population policy and a plan to implement a compulsory high school education by 2008, so as to make Croatia a country of knowledge and to increase Croatia's competitiveness.
The Croatian PM said he expected an invitation to officially visit Washington in the near future and hold talks with US President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Defence Minister Donald Rumsfeld and other top US officials.
On Friday, Sanader is expected to take part in a round table debate about Southeast Europe that will be held at the Yale University in New Haven.