The US President George W. Bush arrived at the Presidential Palace in Zagreb shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday to meet for talks with Croatian President Stjepan Mesić.
President Bush and his wife Laura were given a reception by their hosts, President Mesić and his wife Milka. Also attending the reception were Parliament Speaker Luka Bebić and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and their wives.
After the two countries' national anthems were played, President Bush greeted the Guard of Honour in Croatian. The two presidents and their delegations then went into the talks.
A formal dinner, which will feature Croatian fish specialities, is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. About 60 guests have been invited, including Croatian political, academic, sports and cultural figures.
President Bush arrived in Zagreb on Friday afternoon for a two-day visit after the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, where Croatia was invited to join the military alliance.