ZAGREB, January 6, 2020 – The US Embassy in Zagreb on Monday congratulated Zoran Milanović on winning Sunday’s presidential election, saying Croatia was a US ally and friend and that it was looking forward to a continued partnership during his term.
“Croatia is a steadfast friend and ally of the United States, and we draw strength from our shared values and commitment to transatlantic security, economic cooperation, and energy diversification. We fully support Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and its commitment to Southeast Europe’s Euro-Atlantic future. We are grateful for the last five years of close and productive collaboration with President (Kolinda) Grabar-Kitarović and look forward to a continued partnership throughout President-elect Milanović’s term,” the embassy said in a press release.
On Sunday night, Milanović was congratulated by European Council President Charles Michel.
“I believe that Croatia will contribute to the future development of the European Union especially during its first presidency of the Council of the EU,” he posted on Twitter.
US Ambassador Robert Kohorst on Monday congratulated Croatian President-elect Zoran Milanović on his victory and would not comment on the support President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovicć received for her re-election by Julienne Bušić, saying Bušić was not worth commenting.
We are glad that Croatia had a very active campaign and, it seems to me, a fair election. I congratulate the president-elect on his victory and am looking forward to our collaboration, Kohorst told reporters ahead of a reception for Orthodox Christmas organised by the Serb National Council and the Zagreb Serb National Minority Council.
Kohorst expects to have good cooperation with Milanović because, he said, he seems to be a capable person who watches out for Croatia’s best interests which, he added, also means good partnership with the United States.
He would not comment on Julienne Bušić’s support to Grabar-Kitarović. Her late husband Zvonko Bušić was sentenced to life imprisonment in the US for hijacking a passenger plane and planting a bomb which killed New York police officer Brian Murray.
I don’t want to comment because I think she is not a person worth commenting about, said Kohorst.
More news about relations between Croatia and the United States can be found in the Politics section.
