Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic and the Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Sundov, met with the Commander of the Minnesota National Guard General Jon Jensen, in Zagreb on Tuesday, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Jensen had arrived for a five-day official visit to Croatia ahead of a visit by US Defence Secretary James Mattis, also scheduled for this week.

“The United States of America is our most important partner in defence and security. I am glad that you have come to visit Croatia in this important week when US Defence Secretary James Mattis is coming to Zagreb, which is also a great honour to us,” Krsticevic said.

Both Jensen and Krsticevic said they were satisfied with their excellent cooperation, which had resulted in the joint participation of members of the Croatian Army and the Minnesota National Guard in Afghanistan and in other functional areas.

They added they were fully committed to further improving their cooperation both at the bilateral level, and as part of the US-Adriatic Charter, an association which aims to assist Croatia’s eastern neighbours on their path to NATO and EU membership.

During his stay in Croatia, General Jensen is scheduled to visit the Pleso Airforce Base, the Croatian Army Command Centre in Karlovac, the Zemunik Airforce Base and the Fleet Admiral Sveto Letica-Barba Barracks in Split, the Defence Ministry said.

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