Croatia President Promotes Energy Independence in US

Josipovic promoted Croatia’s energy independence policy among influential circles and think tanks during a week-long visit to Washington.

“My message to politicians and oil business people here is that Croatia is a stable country, a country that has the knowledge and natural resources as well as such a position on Europe’s map that it can become one of the most important hubs of Europe’s energy security,” he said.

“Croatia is having a hard time coming out of the crisis and plans on an energy hub that guarantees energy independence for Central and Eastern Europe and can dramatically change the future for the better,” he added.  

According to the Croatian President’s office, he met strategic American partners and discussed energy development and security as well as the political situation in Europe.

US Vice-President Joe Biden met Josipovic on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Ukraine, energy diversification and the Croatia-US cooperation in NATO.

Biden commended Croatia for its success in European and transatlantic integration, offering it as “an example to its Balkan neighbours” in a White House press release.

The pair also discussed the possibility of Croatians entering the US without visas. Josipovic commented that “a no-visa regime will arrive before long… in theory within a year”, depending on developments in US immigration policy currently before Congress.

He also attended an Energy Forum in Houston, Texas where he presented investment opportunities in Adriatic oil and gas reserves, as well as other energy projects.