"I'm glad that he is the ambassador in Washington. I'm sure that in his term, he will not only pursue the policy of good relations, the policy implemented by the government and the president as the co-creators of the foreign policy, but that he will make a step forward professionally as well... The US is our strategic partner, which is why it's important that we have a top diplomat in Washington," Josipovic told the press after handing Paro the credentials.

Asked if Paro was his first choice for Croatia's ambassador in Washington and if he delayed the appointment of new diplomats because of him, Josipovic said Paro was indeed his candidate but that he did not stall because of him.

"Although, it was worth it to wait and get such a diplomat," he said.

Paro told the press the government had clearly defined interests when it came to relations with the US - "to strengthen the partnership and alliance that we have." He said this meant building on what already existed - extraordinary security, military and political relations.

Paro said the priority task was to improve economic relations with the US, as Croatia had not used the fact that the US remained the leading world economy. He was hopeful that "the changes being announced by our government will make my work in the US easier."

As for the lifting of visa requirements, the American stipulations are very clear, he said. "We are on the verge of meeting the criteria," he said, adding that it was possible to launch some different lobbying actions in that respect. "I hope we will succeed in that. I'm almost certain that this will be settled during my term in office."

Asked if Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic was expected to meet with US President Barack Obama at NATO's May summit in Chicago, Paro said that as far as he knew, the US administration did not envisage formal bilateral meetings during the summit, but that he was certain that there would be informal communication.