AMERICAN  -  CROATIAN  SUMMIT

 

New York, November 20, 2001 - Croatian President, Stjepan Mesic and Foreign Minister, Tonino Picula attended the 56th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City during the week of November 20.

During their stay in New York, Croatian delegation held several talks of which the most important one was the meeting with the U.S. President George W. Bush.

President Mesic spoke before the UN General Assembly and his bilateral meetings and activities also included meeting with the Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat.

Croatian delegation visited Ground-Zero and held bilateral meetings while Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Yugoslav counterpart released a joint statement.

 

 

Croatian and U.S. presidents discussed global terrorism

New York, Nov 10, 2001 – The first meeting of the two presidents was held during the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. From the Croatian side, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Ivan Grdesic, Ambassador to the UN, Ivan Simonovic and the presidents’ secretary, Tomislav Jakic attended the meeting. Beside President Bush was  Secretary of State, Colin Powell, national security advisor Condoleeza Rice, chief of staff Andrew Cards and National Security Councils’ Southern and Eastern Europe director Dean Pittman were present. For over 20 minutes, in a friendly atmosphere, the two Presidents discussed issues connected with the struggle against terrorism, as well as economic relations, international investments to Croatia and especially Croatia’s approach to the Euro-Atlantic integration structures.

 

Following talks with U.S. President George Bush, President Mesic said Croatia is unambiguously on the side with the global anti-terrorist coalition and extended its help in combating terrorism.

 

“Terrorism is a danger to both big and small countries. Everyone should respond to fighting terrorism as only then will terrorism not have a chance. It should, however, be understood that developed countries must help undeveloped ones to activate their resources as soon as possible, to eradicate poverty, which is the environment breeding terrorists and terrorism”, said Mesic.

 

President Mesic commented that Croatian medical services, with the knowledge and experience gained in the 1990s Homeland War, could help, along with information exchange and other Croatian contributions, in the joint international effort.

 

Croatia’s firm political standpoints on terrorism and the global antiterrorist coalition were supported by  American President, Mesic said adding, "Croatia is recognized as a candidate and reliable antiterrorist partner this is the most important outcome of the meeting".

 

President Bush said the U.S. fully supports Croatia’s bids to enter NATO and the European Union,  as it is Croatian strategic interest.

 

Also, during the meeting, the two presidents discussed international investments to Croatia, as Croatia is highly interested in it, while the United States are the biggest investor-country to Croatia.

 

During the meeting, Croatian President Mesic extended an invitation to President Bush to visit Croatia.