President Milanović: Military cooperation between the Croatian Army and the Minnesota National Guard is important and should continue
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met with Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota, Timothy James Walz, in St. Paul on Friday. As part of his working visit to the United States, President Milanović travelled to Minnesota to visit the Minnesota National Guard military base, which has been a strategic military partner of the Croatian Army for nearly three decades.
“Military cooperation between the Croatian Army and the Minnesota National Guard is significant because of tradition. It has developed into a strong friendship and a close, longstanding relationship. Moreover, Rudi Prpić also served as governor here and left a lasting mark, while the Croatian community has been active in Minnesota for many years. That is why Minnesota was not chosen by chance. I believe this should be welcomed and continued,” President Milanović said after his meeting with Governor Walz.
In addition to Governor Walz, the meeting included representatives of the Minnesota National Guard: Leader of the Minnesota National Guard Major General Shawn P. Manke, Commanding General of the 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Brigadier General Joe Sharkey, Director of the State Partnership Program Major Thomas Miller, and Command Chief of the 148th Fighter Wing, Chief Master Sergeant Lisa Erikson. The discussions focused on the nearly thirty years of cooperation between the Minnesota National Guard and the Croatian Army under the State Partnership Program, as well as plans to further strengthen this partnership. They also addressed the modernization of the Croatian Army and the current global security situation.
President Milanović arrived in Minnesota following his participation in the United Nations General Assembly. On Friday, in addition to his meeting with Governor Walz, he will visit the headquarters of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division in Arden Hills, which provides training and readiness oversight for nine National Guard brigades with more than 23,000 soldiers across Minnesota and twenty-three other states.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan