Croatian President Zoran Milanović met on Friday in St. Paul with Minnesota Governor Timothy James Walz during his working visit to the United States. The President traveled to Minnesota to visit the state’s National Guard base, a strategic partner of the Croatian Armed Forces for nearly three decades.
Speaking after the meeting, President Milanović highlighted the importance of this long-standing cooperation: “Military cooperation between Croatia and the Minnesota National Guard is important not only for tradition but also because it has grown into a close friendship over the years. Minnesota was the natural choice given its strong Croatian community and the legacy of leaders like Rudi Prpić,” he said.
The meeting included senior Guard officials, among them Major General Shawn P. Manke, Brigadier General Joe Sharkey, Major Thomas Miller, and Colonel Lisa Erikson. Talks focused on the 30-year partnership program, modernization of the Croatian military, and the global security situation.
Following his appearance at the UN General Assembly earlier this week, President Milanović also visited the headquarters of the 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” in Arden Hills, which oversees training and readiness of more than 23,000 soldiers across Minnesota and 23 other U.S. states.