The US National Guard Bureau saw this as an opportunity to expand the international affairs roles of the various state national guards throughout the United States. National Guard Bureau suggested a State Partnership Program which included establishing liaison teams in many of these Central and Eastern European countries. The goals were to conduct events that would familiarize and educate the host nation military leadership as to western style military practices, facilitate inter-operability with NATO and promote democratic ideals. For example, civilian control of the military is a cornerstone of US philosophy that was not well understood in many of these countries. To assure continuity of the program each country was assigned a sister state under the State Partnership Program.
Many states have logical ethnic ties.
For example, because of the large Polish population around Chicago, Illinois is partnered with Poland. Colorado was linked with Slovenia because of similar topography and the significant Slovene population within the state. Around the end of the 19th Century, there were many Slovenes in the mines, smelters and other industries throughout Colorado. Slovene Churches were established in Leadville and Pueblo. Additionally, a significant number of Slovenes settled in the Denver area.