At talks with Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, US Vice President Joe Biden emphasised the United States" strong support for Croatia"s European Union candidacy and warmly welcomed Croatia"s cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the Office of the Vice President said in a statement, which the White House published on Tuesday evening.
"The Vice President emphasized the United States" strong support for Croatia"s European Union candidacy. In that context, he warmly welcomed Croatia"s cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the Croatian government"s efforts to carry out essential economic reforms and to follow through on commitments to combat corruption," the statement said.
Vice President Biden underscored the US close partnership with Croatia, noted the one-year anniversary of Croatia"s accession to NATO, and expressed appreciation for Croatia"s contributions to NATO operations, particularly in Afghanistan, the statement said.
Biden also acknowledged Croatia"s efforts to foster stability and good relations within Southeast Europe, and commended Prime Minister Kosor for reaching a solution on the long-standing border dispute with Slovenia through an arbitration agreement.
He also lauded the Croatian government"s efforts to develop a closer bilateral relationship with Serbia, to support the Republic of Kosovo, and to assist efforts by the international community to advance reform and improve the functionality of the Bosnian state.
