Croatian Minister of Defense Roncevic Visits U.S.

Washington, July 22 -  Croatian Minister of Defense Berislav Roncevic arrived in Washington on July 21 for an official visit from July 21 to 24, during which he is due to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, and members of Congress for talks on defense cooperation between the two countries.

On July 23 Minister Roncevic is due to visit the Pentagon to meet US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Croatian Minister of Defense and a delegation of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, are scheduled to hold defense consultations with defense ministry experts from both sides on the evaluation of previous work and cooperation in the area of defense, a long-term concept of cooperation, and ways of advancing bilateral relations with a view to promoting international peace, security and stability. The Croatian delegation will present the progress made in defense reform and restructuring and in the process of admission to NATO.

On Friday the two sides will continue talks on defense cooperation at the level of experts, and Croatia will present how far it has gone in the process of reform and restructuring of the armed forces as part of its efforts to join NATO.

At the Croatian Embassy in Washington, Minister Roncevic is due to present two US army officers with Croatian decorations, and is also scheduled to visit the US Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia.