By CroatiaWeek – 05/30/25
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s Address to May 7th Capitol Hill attendees
Washington, D.C. – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković was the distinguished Guest of Honor at the inauguration of the Congressional Croatian Caucus (CCC) for the 119th U.S. Congress.
The Capitol Hill reception was held in the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday, May 7th.
The Zagreb delegation included Croatia’s Minister of Economy, Ante Šušnjar and Foreign Affairs Minister, Gordan Grlić-Radman. This marvelous Croatian Caucus event was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and locally by Ambassador Pjer Simunovic and the Croatian Embassy in Washington D.C.
The Congressional Croatian Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman David Joyce (R-OH) and Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-CA) were the congressional hosts of the event, along with fellow Vice-Chairs Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA).
It was impressive that seven Members of Congress attended and included Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), who hosted the 30th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords-NATO Parliamentary event in Dayton, Ohio from May 22nd to 26th. Also, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission and Croatian American Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) participated.
The NFCACF was proud to help organize this congressional reception and was represented by President Steve Rukavina and consultant, Joe Foley.
Joe Foley and Steve Rukavina with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic
Prime Minister Plenković emphasized Croatia’s role in energy resilience and its consequent role in resolving the energy crisis in Europe.
“During the first term of my government from 2016 to 2020, we decided to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on the island of Krk. That decision has proven to be politically farsighted in light of the energy crisis following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, ensuring gas supply diversification for Croatia and positioning us as a regional hub for gas arriving from the United States,” stated the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister expressed the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic relations between the United States and Croatia through advancing NATO relations and diplomatic and economic ties. “I would like to thank our ambassador and the entire team here for their daily efforts to improve relations between Croatia and the United States,” he concluded.
Caucus Co-Chair Congressman David Joyce stated that Croatian Americans continue their contributions across the United States, “this is especially true in northeast Ohio, home to over 15,000 Croatian Americans. The work of the Croatian Caucus will ensure that the U.S. and Croatia maintain strong bilateral relations. Since gaining independence, Croatia has been our ally, and we share a commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. Under President Trump, we will continue to strengthen these ties and further enhance our economic and cultural cooperation,” he stated.
Group photo from the Congressional Croatian Caucus Reception
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán congratulated the Prime Minister for his esteemed engagement in stimulating Croatia’s economic and military contributions as a member of NATO and the European Union (EU).
“Since the last session of Congress, we sent a letter to the Senate urging ratification of the Avoidance of Double Taxation agreements between the US and Croatia. We will continue to advocate for this treaty’s ratification in the current Congress and work to resolve any issues blocking it,” said Barragán.
On Thursday, May 8th, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic spoke at panel discussions with the Hudson Institute and George Washington University focusing on U.S. and Croatian Transatlantic Relations and attended an afternoon reception at the Croatian Embassy.
NFCACF President with CCC Co-Chair Rep. Nanette Barragan
The evening of May 8th, Croatia’s Prime Minister received a prestigious 2025 Atlantic Council Leadership Award at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Croatian Fraternal Union officers, Bernadette Luketich-Sikaras, Franjo Bertovic, Ed Pazo and Steve Rukavina were honored to attend this black tie affair.