[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2006)]
[Pages 1835-1836]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Ivo Sanader of Croatia

October 17, 2006

    President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of 
Croatia here. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
    Prime Minister Sanader. Thank you very much.
    President Bush. We just had a very lengthy and interesting 
discussion, which is what you would expect friends to do. I consider the 
Prime Minister a friend; I consider Croatia a friend as well.
    We talked about foreign policy issues, issues of peace. I thank the 
people of Croatia for their support in Afghanistan of the young 
democracy. I also believe it's in the world's interest that Croatia join 
NATO as well as the European Union. And to that end, when I go to Riga, 
I will make the case that Croatia should be admitted. It seems like a 
reasonable date would be 2008.
    We talked about bilateral relations. We talked about investments, 
investment opportunities in Croatia. We talked about the need to enhance 
trade and commerce. The Prime Minister has invited me to come. I've 
heard unbelievably great things about your country, Mr. Prime Minister. 
I hear it's one of the most beautiful places on the face of the Earth. 
I'd love to come sometime. I've got to clear it first with my wife. 
[Laughter]
    But nevertheless, all in all, it's been a very good meeting. And I 
welcome you here, and thank you for coming.
    Prime Minister Sanader. Thank you, Mr. President. I've been touched 
by the warmth of this reception during this visit and of the interest 
and understanding you have shown in Croatia and the challenges facing 
Europe today.
    About the only question we disagreed was whether Croatia or the 
United States had the most beautiful coastline.
    President Bush. That's right. [Laughter]
    Prime Minister Sanader. I will let you and Mrs. Bush judge for 
yourselves when you visit Croatia, where you certainly will be most 
welcome, Mr. President.
    The President and I, we discussed a range of issues of bilateral 
concerns, especially of the preparations of my country to join EU and 
NATO. And I expressed my gratitude to the President for his constant 
support for Croatia on its way.
    I also--we discussed a range of issues of--regarding our region of 
southeastern Europe: final status of Kosovo; Georgia; Ukraine; Moldova. 
We are very active. Croatia is not forgetting that we are in the region

[[Page 1836]]

where we still need a strong U.S. and European cooperation. We believe 
strongly in transatlantic partnership. There is no alternative to this. 
I think that President Bush and the United States of America, along with 
the EU, have still to be very, very closely cooperating in a couple of 
issues in Europe.

    So thank you very much, Mr. President, for warm reception and very 
fruitful discussion.

    President Bush. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Good job. Thank 
you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:16 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.