Present at the reception, held in the Croatian Embassy, were some 100 members of the Georgetown University European Club and diplomats from several embassies of EU countries.
European Club president Adrianne Hammershaimb congratulated Croatia on the start of its EU membership talks, adding that Georgetown students supported Croatia's ambitions.
Thanking the students on their support, Croatian ambassador neven Jurica said Croatia was investing efforts so as to meet criteria for EU membership, adding that he expected Croatia would become a full member in 2009.