February 8, 2023 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Davor Bozinovic announced on Tuesday the continuation of the strengthening of relations between Croatia and the USA, especially in the Global Entry program after visas for Croatian citizens to enter the USA were abolished, assessing that Croatia has become the most reliable American partner in the region.
As 24Sata writes, visiting the business breakfast of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCam), Bozinovic assessed that the strengthening of relations with the United States of America fell into the background in the public space but that the process of cancelling visas was demanding and conducted in parallel with the entry into Schengen.
From October 23, 2021, Croatians can travel to the United States without a visa by applying to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for tourist and business trips of up to 90 days.
"Not only did we enter the list of countries whose citizens no longer need a visa to enter the USA, but we also entered the privileged club of only a few European countries that will be part of the Global Entry program," said Bozinovic.
The Global Entry program is a program of the US government that allows pre-approved travellers from countries with the highest level of trust to quickly clear customs upon arrival in the US, explained Bozinovic.
"The program will help those who travel often, and it means a lot in terms of reputation at the state level as well," he said.
He emphasized that it was this "invitation letter" for entry into the Global Entry program that helped with the completion of negotiations and entry into Schengen and that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is connected daily in real time with institutions such as the FBI, the US Border and Customs Agency and the Ministry of Homeland Security, through the program of tracking passengers in the airspace.
He pointed out that Croatia concluded agreements with 190 airlines whose planes arrive or depart from Croatian airports in only a year and a half and that it signed 14 international agreements with the USA.
Croatia has positioned itself as the most reliable partner of the USA in this part of Europe, said Bozinovic.
The executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce, Andrea Doko Jelušić, said that last year had brought outstanding achievements for the business community, important for the business community, such as entry into Schengen and the introduction of a practically visa-free regime with the USA.
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