The agreement was inked after the US aviation authorities recently established that Croatia met international safety and security conditions in the air traffic. In late January the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced that Croatia complied with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation which was why Croatia was upgraded to Category 1 safety rating.

After her talks with Minister Jandrokovic on Thursday, State Secretary Clinton praised Croatia at a news conference for showing "great commitment as both a global and regional partner" of the United States.

Clinton went on to say that the USA appreciated "Croatia’s contributions in Afghanistan, especially in their training of Afghan police forces".

According to a report on the State Department website, Clinton said that "in the Western Balkans, Croatia continues to be a leader, and it is a leader in reconciliation."

"Croatia is an example of a country that not so long ago was engaged in war, subject to civil, political, and economic stress and difficulties, and which made a determination by its leadership and its people to choose a different path," she added.

"What Croatia is doing in its efforts toward reconciliation in the region is exemplary," Clinton said praising Croatia's talks with Serbia which facilitated the return of refugees and efforts to solve their outstanding bilateral issues.

She was quoted as saying that Croatia was supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to reform and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Clinton congratulated Croatia on taking the difficult steps necessary toward EU membership and said that her country was hopeful that "Croatia will fulfill all of its requirements in the coming months so the Croatian people will earn their rightful place in Europe as soon as possible."

Speaking of Croatia's plans for this year, Foreign Minister Jandrokovic reiterated that Zagreb was intending to complete its EU accession negotiations by the end of the Hungarian EU presidency, that is until 30 June. He went on to say that Croatia was willing to share its experience it gained in the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes with other countries in the region.

When it comes to region, Clinton and Jandrokovic discussed the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Jandrokovic saying that Croatia strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Euro-Atlantic prospects.

"Croatia also emphasized the importance of equal status and the participation of credible representatives of all three constituent peoples in the new government. I particularly underlined the sensitivity of the position of the Croat people in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Jandrokovic was quoted as saying in the State Department report.

According to a press release from the Croatian Foreign Ministry, Jandrokovic expressed Croatia's gratitude to USA for its friendship and support in the last 20 years since Croatia gained independence.

Speaking of the excellent bilateral relations, he said that during the past two decades, the USA-Croatia relationship had evolved "into one of mutual respect, understanding, and partnership, and I am pleased to say that it has never been stronger."

"Our joint efforts in Afghanistan and Southeast Europe, where we share an unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity are a testament to that ever-strengthening relationship," he said at the news conference.

The minister reaffirmed Croatia's commitment to the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

Jandrokovic went on to say that "Croatia will continue to be a responsible and reliable partner in NATO and trusted ally of the United States."

He expressed hope that a regional trade and investments conference, which will be jointly organised by Croatia and the USA in April in Dubrovnik to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the tragic death of the US Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, would boost the bilateral economic cooperation.

Jandrokovic informed Clinton about Croatia’s continued interest in joining the Visa Waiver Program and expressed hope that Croatia would soon fulfill criteria and become a member of the programme.

He also invited Secretary Clinton to attend this year’s Croatia Summit.