WASHINGTON, D.C., 17 October 2006

WASHINGTON, Octeber 17, 2006. -  US President George W. Bush welcomed Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader to the White House on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

Bush said it was in the world's interest that Croatia joined the European Union and NATO. "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," Bush said.

"We just had a very lengthy and interesting discussion, which is what you'd expect friends to do. I consider the Prime Minister a friend; I consider Croatia a friend, as well.," the US president said.

Bush said the talks with the Croatian PM focused on foreign policy issues and issues of peace. "We talked about bilateral relations. We talked about investments, investment opportunities in Croatia. We talked about the need to enhance trade and commerce," the US president said.

Sanader thanked Bush on the warmth of this reception and on the interest and understanding Bush had 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," Sanader said.

"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," Sanader said.

"Croatia is not forgetting that we are in the region where we still need a strong U.S. and European cooperation. We believe strongly in trans-Atlantic 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," the Croatia PM said.

Sanader invited Bush to visit Croatia. "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," Bush said.