Since achieving independence in 1991, Croatia's primary foreign policy goals have been the pursuit of membership in the North Atlantic Alliance and Euro-Atlantic structures. Croatia has pursued membership in Partnership for Peace (PfP) since its launching in 1994.

  The U.S. has, on many occasions, expressed its support for Croatia's admission into PfP. Former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry reiterated the U.S. preparedness to sponsor Croatia's initiative to join PfP. On March 23, 2000 at the Oxford Konigswinter Conference, Ambassador Vershbow stated that, "The U.S. welcomes Croatia back from the periphery, and hopes a demonstrated commitment to freedom will lead to early PfP membership."
 "The U.S. supports the entrance of Croatia into the NATO Partnership for Peace program,  and my goal as Admiral of the 6th Fleet is to do everything I can to assist in this process",  said Admiral Daniel Murphy while meeting with the Croatian Defense Minister, Jozo Rados  in Zagreb on March 24, 2000. During his recent visit to Zagreb, the U.S. Deputy Secretary  of Defense for Political Affairs, Walter Slocombe, confirmed that Croatia has the  support of the U.S. in the process of realizing the goals set out by the Croatian Government  including accession into the Partnership for Peace program.

  Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan visited NATO HQ in Brussels on February 15, 2000, and formally renewed Croatia's application for membership in PfP. NATO's Secretary General, Lord Robertson visited Zagreb on March 16, 2000 and expressed support for the new Croatian Government's commitment to enact democratic changes.

  Croatia has been invited to participate in activities of the NATO's Partnership Work Program, including seminars, courses, and exercises in civil-military cooperation, transparency in defense planning and budgeting, and resource management education.

  Croatia provides NATO with valuable logistics and infrastructure support:
Croatia provides all U.S. and NATO peacekeeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and their sole access to Bosnia-Herzegovina is through         Croatian ports and roads.
Croatia cleared its skies for U.S. and NATO aircraft and closed its oil pipeline to Serbia   during last year's Kosovo campaign.

  Croatia's PfP membership would enhance its role as a responsible contributor to the stability and prosperity of the wider region.

  Croatia sees an appropriate and timely opportunity to join Partnership for Peace  at the  North Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting in Florence, Italy, May 24-25, 2000.