WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (Hina) - At the end of her two-week study visit to the United States, where she travelled at the invitation of the State Department, Croatia's Assistant Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic Kurelec held a news
conference on her talks with US officials in Washington on Sunday. The purpose of the visit was to become acquainted with the functioning of the US diplomacy but also to discuss with US officials relations between the two countries and the situation in South-East Europe, she said. The most important assessment is that the government of George Bush will not change the US policy toward Croatia, she said. "Washington sees Croatia as a partner and acknowledges that democratic changes here were an encouragement and example for other countries in the region," she said. The United States is now oriented toward developing trade relations with Croatia and expects the process of privatisation and creatio
WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (Hina) - At the end of her two-week study visit to
the United States, where she travelled at the invitation of the
State Department, Croatia's Assistant Foreign Minister Vesna
Cvjetkovic Kurelec held a news conference on her talks with US
officials in Washington on Sunday.
The purpose of the visit was to become acquainted with the
functioning of the US diplomacy but also to discuss with US
officials relations between the two countries and the situation in
South-East Europe, she said.
The most important assessment is that the government of George Bush
will not change the US policy toward Croatia, she said.
"Washington sees Croatia as a partner and acknowledges that
democratic changes here were an encouragement and example for other
countries in the region," she said.
The United States is now oriented toward developing trade relations
with Croatia and expects the process of privatisation and creation
of adequate conditions for foreign investments to resume. It also
wants democratic processes to continue and supports Croatia's
foreign policy goals in Europe and the region, she added.
According to the Croatian official, US officials assessed the
military and security cooperation with Croatia as excellent,
commended the government's work and inquired about relations among
the ruling six-party coalition.
Cvjetkovic Kurelec visited the State Department and the Foreign
Service Institute, where US diplomats are educated for work abroad,
the Council of National Defense and Congress and several
institutions and universities which are involved in foreign
affairs studies.
Croatia should apply some US forms of education and preparation of
diplomats, she said, adding a useful contribution would be a visit
by two US instructors who would hold a series of seminars for
Croatian diplomats. Talks are being conducted with the U.S. Agency
for International Development on an internship programme for young
people who are preparing for diplomatic service.
The Croatian official announced that a group of spokespeople from
the government and several ministries would soon travel to the USA
for training programmes.
(hina) rml