At the 18th Dubrovnik Forum, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković met with a high-profile US Congressional delegation led by Republican Congressman Michael Turner and Democrat Chrissy Houlahan. The message? Croatia and the US are closer than ever.
Jandroković praised the “excellent and strategic partnership” between the two nations, pointing to major wins like Croatia’s inclusion in the US Visa Waiver and Global Entry programs, the Strategic Dialogue, and a pending tax treaty to avoid double taxation.
“Croatia remains committed to strengthening its alliance with the US—especially in defence, energy, and trade,” said Jandroković, noting both countries’ active cooperation within NATO. He confirmed Croatia will ramp up defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 and stressed the importance of future collaboration in cybersecurity and hybrid threat resilience.
On the economic front, Jandroković called the US Croatia’s most important non-EU partner and urged the US Senate to ratify the double taxation agreement. He highlighted joint potential in defence, high-tech, pharmaceuticals, IT, and energy—especially with Croatia’s expanding LNG terminal on Krk island poised to become a key entry point for US liquefied natural gas in the region.
The pair also discussed regional stability in the Western Balkans, continued support for Ukraine, and the tense situation in the Middle East. Jandroković warned that some actors, both within and outside the Balkans, benefit from ongoing instability.
To cement relations further, Jandroković invited US lawmakers to next year’s Three Seas Initiative Parliamentary Summit, set to take place in Croatia.
Also present were Croatian Parliament Vice President Željko Reiner and Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Andro Krstulović Opara.