Split and Los Angeles deepen ties with future projects
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Ivica Puljak and Timothy McOsker (Photo: Grad Split)
by Branka Bezić Filipović
From 11 to 15 November 2024, a delegation from the City of Los Angeles visited Croatia. A key highlight of the visit was the agreement to open a “Croatian House” in San Pedro during the 2028 Olympic Games.
This decision was formalised during a meeting with the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO), attended by the Committee’s president Zlatko Mateša, secretary-general Siniša Krajač, U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Rayes, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
On the final day of the visit, the delegation travelled to Split, led by Los Angeles City Councillor Timothy McOsker. The group included:
Augie Bezmalinovich, Community Affairs Manager for the Port of LA
David Libatique, Deputy Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Port of LA
Nermina Rucic, Director of Engineering, LA Department of Water and Power
Bertrand Coquant and Can Canbolat, Heads of Air Traffic Development, ADP Group/LA World Airports
Cristina Oh, Deputy Executive Director, Los Angeles Tourism Department
Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea
Joseph Brajevich, Executive Vice President of Government Strategies, Athens Services
Martin Breidsprecher, COO, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
Yoomee Ha, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Sister Cities Office
Jeanne Min, Chief of Staff for Councillor McOsker
Jennifer LaMarque, Deputy for Field Operations, LA County
The delegation was accompanied by Claire Bea, First Secretary of the U.S. Embassy.
Joint photo (Photo: Grad Split)
The first meeting in Split took place at the Split-Dalmatia County Office, where Deputy County Prefect Stipe Čogelja, Head of the Department of Tourism, Maritime Affairs, and Transport Matea Dorčić, County Assembly Councillor Petroslav Sapunar, and Croatian Diaspora Liaison Branka Bezić Filipović warmly welcomed the visitors.
Branka Bezić Filipović, Petroslav Sapunar and Stipe Čogelja (Photo: Grad Split)
Deputy Prefect Čogelja presented key information about the region, highlighting its reliance on tourism, hydroelectric potential, solar energy, and the Digital Dalmatia project, which aims to foster a start-up ecosystem and strengthen the ICT sector.
Joint photo (Photo: Branka Bezić Filipović)
Councillor McOsker expressed his delight at the enduring friendship between Split and Los Angeles, noting that his district is home to approximately 35,000 Croatians, who are valued members of the community.
He praised the decision to host the “Croatian House” during the Olympics and encouraged everyone to mark their calendars for 2028.
Stipe Čogelja and Timothy McOsker (Photo: Branka Bezić Filipović)
County Councillor Sapunar described Split as “the most sporting city in Croatia,” while Bezić Filipović emphasised the centuries-long history of Croatian emigration to California, as well as the sister-city relationship between Komiža and San Pedro.
Nikola Aleksić shows the friendship charter of Split and LA (Photo: Grad Split)
Celebrating 30 Years of Partnership
The delegation was later received by Split Mayor Ivica Puljak, marking the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Split and Los Angeles.
Mayor Puljak described Split as a city of rich history and a promising future, underlining the importance of continued collaboration between the two cities.
Ivica Puljak and Jenhifer LaMarqure (Photo: Grad Split)
The visit concluded with a tour of the Port Authority and the Oceanographic Institute, symbolically bridging the shared histories, economies, and sporting ties of the two cities.
Ivica Puljak and Timothy McOsker (Photo: Grad Split)
Strengthening Bridges for the Future
The enduring friendship between Split and Los Angeles was reaffirmed as a powerful bond of cooperation, offering new opportunities and projects for both communities.
Branka Bezić Filipović and Jennifer LaMarque (Photo: Branka Bezić Filipović)
The visit underscored the shared vision of prosperity and partnership, ensuring that the connection between these two vibrant cities continues to grow.
Jennifer LaMarque and Timothy McOsker and Claire Bea (Photo: Branka Bezić Filipović)
