The president of the Republic of Kosovo will begin a three-day visit to Iowa today as part of a U.S. Department of Defense program to partner National Guard states and territories with other countries to create long-lasting relationships.

This will be the first time the president of Kosovo has traveled to Iowa.

Gov. Terry Branstad will meet with Atifete Jahjaga, Kosovo’s president, as well as other visitors, and accompany them on tours of Iowa State University, Graceland University, Des Moines University, a cattle farming operation and wind energy facilities in the state.

Jahjaga makes his way to Iowa as part of the State Partnership Program. Iowa was selected by the Department of Defense to participate in March 2011.