STATEMENT BY

H.E. NEVEN JURICA

CROATIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES

ON THE OCCASION OF THE

CROATIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION DAYS ON THE HILL 2005

Mr. President, Members of CAA, friends and supporters of Croatia,

Dear friends, I would like to welcome you back to Washington, DC for the Croatian American Association (CAA) Croatian Days on the Hill for 2005.  It is with great regret though, that I am not able to be in Washington, DC at this time.  However, I would also like to thank you for your kind invitation to participate in this year’s Days on the Hill.  The strategic efforts by grass-root American Croatian organizations such as your Days on the Hill, has helped Croatia deepen and broaden its relations with the U.S.   This annual event is testimony to your resolve and dedication to come to Washington DC every year, in order to press firsthand the issues that you consider important, and necessary to bring to the attention of Congress and the U.S. Administration, including current and future aspirations and challenges facing Croatia. 

 Croatia’s journey towards NATO and European Union membership marks its successful transition of political and economic reforms to a thriving democracy and market economy, as well as affirming Croatia’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights.  Membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions will enable Croatia to assume a more active role within a community of democracies that share common values, principles and interests. 

 In particular, we consider NATO membership an indispensable and indivisible link between the United States and Croatia.  Croatia remains encouraged by continuing U.S. support for NATO expansion to be implemented through NATO’s performance based Membership Action Plan.   U.S. endorsement in this respect has also been evident in joint efforts with Croatia and its partners, Albania and Macedonia, in forging security in the region of Southeastern Europe through the US-Adriatic Charter of Partnership.  Croatia appreciates the invaluable support the U.S. has provided under the auspices of the Charter, through which Croatia and its partners will ensure that the region builds strong democracies, working both individually and sharing best practices on reforming economic, military, and political institutions.  

             In addition, it should also be recognized that Croatia has much to thank the U.S. for what it has given to so many Croatian immigrants over many generations.  You have benefited from the educational opportunities and the free market economy America has offered you, while at the same time have retained and preserved your own cultural and linguistic identity, thus enriching both cultures.  Your loyalty as American citizens coupled with your love for the “old country” are a powerful combination and an inherent part of the strong relations between Croatia and the United States. The recent establishment of the Congressional Croatian Caucus is the latest milestone of the Croatia and United States partnership, which will serve as a critical forum for further deepening relations.

            An essential part of this relationship will be to encourage trade missions to Croatia to promote economic development and financial investment.  A key factor of Croatia’s foreign policy is to encourage development of the private sector and the Government has worked hard to implement key reforms in order to spur job creation and increase exports.  As a result, the economy is now comparable to many EU countries, reflecting a record of solid growth and low inflation over the past decade and real GDP growth averaging 4.5 percent.  However, there still remains great potential for Croatia-US economic cooperation that has yet to be realized.

            Finally, Croatia owes it’s gratitude to all the members of CAA both past and present, for your tireless efforts over the years, in being the “Croatian voice” within the United States.  In acknowledging this, Croatia looks forward to working in partnership with the CAA and all American Croatians, so as to ensure the successful realization of political, social and economic aspirations of the Croatian cause.

 Thank you.