January 29, 2009

Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, Washington, D.C.

Topic:  Croatia's Path to EU and NATO Integration and Prospects for the Future of South East Europe
 

Education:

• September 2002 - June 2003 - Pre-doctoral research fellowship in international relations and security policy at George Washington University in Washington D.C., USA, as a Fulbright scholar;
• 2000 - MA in Political Science after the completion of a two-year postgraduate course in international relations, Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb (Thesis on American-Soviet Relations during Reagan Administration and the End of the Cold War);
• June - July 1995 - Course in Diplomacy at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia;
• September 1995 - June 1996 - Postgraduate studies in diplomacy, international law, economics and European integration and training at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria;
• 1995 - One-week study visit to the European Union institutions in Brussels, Belgium ;
• 1995 - One-week study visit to international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland;
• 1994 - Study trip to the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France;
• July August 1995 - Special intensive course in diplomacy and German language at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria;
• 1993 - BA in English and Spanish languages and literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb;
• 1986 - Graduated at Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA

Political Career:

• 2003 - Secretary General for European Integration,
• Member of the Presidency of HDZ,
• Member of the National Council of HDZ,
• Member of the Central Committee of the HDZ,
• Deputy Campaign Director for HDZ.

Professional Career:

• 19 March 2008 - Appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America;
• 17 February 2005 - Appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration;
• 18 January 2005 - Appointed Head of Delegation for the negotiations on the accession of Croatia to the European Union;
• 22 January 2004 - Appointed Chairman of the Interim Committee established under the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related matters between the European Community and the Republic of Croatia;
• 22 January 2004 - Appointed Head of the Delegation for the Negotiations of the Enlargement Protocol;
• 22 January 2004 - Appointed National Aid Co-ordinator;
• 23 December 2003 - Appointed Minister for European Integration;
• 23 November 2003 - Elected Member of the Croatian Parliament in the 7th Electoral District;
• January 2001 - November 2003 - Minister Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia;
• October 1998 December 2000 - Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Ottawa, Canada;
• August 1997 October 1998 - Diplomatic Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Ottawa, Canada;
• 19951997 - Head of Department for North America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia;
• 19931995 - Adviser, and consequently Senior Adviser to Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia;
• January 1992 January 1993 - Assistant, and consequently Adviser, in the Department for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Croatia

Interests:

• Literature, education and protection of children, hiking and walks in nature, film.

Marital status:

• Married with two children

Languages:

• Excellent command of English, Spanish and Portuguese;
• Passive knowledge of Italian, German and French