The meeting of the head of Montenegro with Governor Mills at the State House.

On March 21, 2022, Governor Janet Mills proclaimed "Montenegro-Maine Partnership Day" meeting with Brigadier General Milutin Ђurovich, leader of the Montenegro Armed Forces, at the State House as part of the National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP) official visit to Maine.

The governor also signed a proclamation declaring today as "Montenegro-Maine Partnership Day" in honor of the 15th anniversary of the partnership between Maine and Montenegro.

The Maine National Guard has been collaborating with Montenegro through the SPP since December 7, 2006, and this visit marks the first visit of Montenegrin officials to Maine since the 15th anniversary last December.

“It was a great honor to meet with Brigadier General Đurović and his staff today. In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the people of Maine greatly appreciate the Montenegrin people for their commitment to being a source of stability and freedom in the Balkan region,” said Governor Mills.

“I am looking forward to the continuation of the partnership between Man and Montenegro, and in this spirit, I am pleased to proclaim today Montenegro-Man Partnership Day in honor of our 15 years of friendship and cooperation in the field of security.”

"It is always a pleasure to welcome our Montenegrin friends to Maine," said Maj. Gen.

“Our organizations have shared a lot over 15 years of partnership - from mountain infantry tactics and leadership training to cybersecurity support and emergency management planning. We were privileged to stand alongside them in 2017 when they officially joined NATO, and we look forward to many more years of friendship and cooperation.”

Across the country, there are 85 partnerships between allied and partner military forces and the National Guard units of the states, and each of the 54 states and territories has at least one state partner.