U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Washington on Wednesday that Croatia was a leader in Southeast Europe and a full member of the transatlantic community with which the U.S. would cooperate in solving global issues.

We strongly support the many reforms Croatia has undertaken to become a full member of the transatlantic community, Clinton said ahead of her meeting with Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Vesna Pusic.

We welcome Croatia's progress on the path to the EU and its leading role in the region, Clinton said at a news conference she held together with Pusic before their talks at the State Department.

Joint work on the settlement of the remaining problems continues to be a lasting challenge, the U.S. Secretary of State said, welcoming Pusic.

Pusic thanked the United States for its continued assistance to Croatia in building a functioning state and society and dealing with problems and for its support to Croatia on the path to the European Union.

You have been assisting us since the very beginning and I hope you see the results of your assistance, Pusic said, adding that Croatia could contribute to the stabilisation of the entire region, which she said was what both Zagreb and Washington were interested in.