Ambassador Grdesic holds a lecture at William & Mary College

Williamsburg, Virginia, October 28^th – Croatian Ambassador to United States, Dr. Ivan Grdesic spoke at William & Mary College in Virginia in front of an audience of students and professors.

Dr. Grdesic was invited to the College to hold a lecture on Croatia’s experiences during its ongoing democratic transition.  In his address, Ambassador Grdesic spoke about the development of democracy, free market economy, and civil society as well as the specifics on nation-building amidst a war of independence.  The Ambassador also stressed to his audience of more than one hundred the importance of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Croatia as a sign of continuous democratization of the country that will carry Croatia inexorably towards EU and NATO membership regardless of who may win the elections.  Such maturity of democracy in Croatia, Grdesic added, is reflected more and more in its tolerance, civility, ability to compromise as well as implement the rule of law in everyday use. 

Speaking on relations between U.S. and Croatia, Ambassador Grdesic took care to point out positive bilateral relations between the two states, especially as it pertained to battling international terrorism.  Dr. Grdesic also spoke about economic relations between U.S. and Croatia and said that while they are good, there still remains a lot of room for improvement.

Responding to Ambassador’s lecture, William & Mary students added to the discussion of the subject by posing insightful questions to Dr. Grdesic, ranging from Croatia’s transitional experience to its relations with United States, EU and Hague Tribunal.  Not shying away from tough and sensitive questions, Dr. Grdesic also spoke about talks between U.S. and Croatia on issues relating to International Criminal Court. 

William & Mary College in Williamsburg, VA has been proclaimed “the best smallest public college in U.S.” and numbers around eight thousand students.