ZAGREB, March 2 (Hina) - The US Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, met in Zagreb on Tuesday with Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul to discuss bilateral cooperation,
Croatia's integration into NATO, human and refugee rights, and the fight against people trafficking.
ZAGREB, March 2 (Hina) - The US Under Secretary of State for Global
Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, met in Zagreb on Tuesday with Croatian
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul to
discuss bilateral cooperation, Croatia's integration into NATO, human
and refugee rights, and the fight against people trafficking.#L#
Addressing reporters after her meeting with Zuzul, Dobriansky
described the talks as very good, stating that her hosts had informed
her of the government's plans regarding the social reintegration of
Serb refugees and cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The
Hague.
The United States wishes to welcome and encourage those plans, she
said.
Dobriansky said she had personally initiated the discussion about
people trafficking as she was heading a new office that was in charge
of fighting trade in humans. Trafficking in humans is considered a
matter of respect for human rights as well as a matter of
implementation of laws, Dobriansky said.
Minister Zuzul said that the US official's visit proved the
continuation of "strong bilateral relations" and the intention of the
Croatian government "to simultaneously promote speedy integration into
the EU and develop relations with the United States".
"We reiterate that there is no dilemma 'the EU or the United States'
for Croatia, there is only one road and that is the road to the EU and
NATO, but with assistance, understanding and support from the United
States," Zuzul said.
Zuzul said he and Dobriansky discussed a number of issues regarding
democratic development and human rights, especially the return of
refugees, which he said was one of the government's priorities.
"We have been given firm assurances of assistance and support of the
United States and since this is one of the government's priorities, we
have accepted them gladly," Zuzul said.
Zuzul and Dobriansky said they also discussed Croatia's more active
role in the global promotion of democracy and human rights, as well as
its transferring its experiences to war-affected countries like
Afghanistan.
The government said in a statement that PM Sanader had expressed
satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations adding that
Croatia's strategic priority was admission to NATO and the EU. He also
sought the State Department's support in enhancing US investments in
Croatia.
During the talks with the prime minister, Dobriansky voiced
satisfaction with the decisions and policy of the new Croatian
government and PM Sanader, the government said in the statement.
(Hina) rml sb