The relationship between the US and Slovenia has been solid and strong, regardless of who is in power in each country, US Ambassador to Slovenia Jamie L. Harpootlian has told the STA in a recent interview. The countries have good cooperation in culture, security, business and humanitarian aid.

The ambassador said the US cooperated well with both with the previous, Janez Janša government, under which the two countries launched a strategic dialogue, and the current Robert Golob government.

The US-Slovenia relationship has been very strong no matter who had been leading the government in Slovenia, and it continues today with the new government, she said.

"We have great operation with Slovenia on security, our economic ties are strong," she said, noting that the US company Westinghouse has been operating the reactor of the Krško nuclear power plant (NEK) since 1975, that is for 47 years.

In this context, Aleshia Duncan, the deputy assistant secretary at the US Department of Energy, will pay a visit next week to talk about civil nuclear opportunities in the region and possibility of developing a second nuclear reactor in Slovenia.

Cooperation is also strong in humanitarian assistance, where the ambassador noted the funding of the ITF Enhancing Human Security, a Slovenian-run NGO specialising in land mine clearance, to which the US has contributed over US$230 million.

She commended Slovenia's engagement to assist Ukraine. "Slovenia has been a really excellent NATO ally and partner, they provided substantial military equipment to Ukraine, very substantial humanitarian assistance, and helped with refugees."

Right now Slovenia is working on providing equipment to help restore the energy grid in Ukraine. "We have been very thankful for their commitment and their unwavering support for Ukraine," she said.

The US supports the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans, because "it's going to bring stability and democracy to the region."

She noted that Slovenia had been an incredible example in showing what is possible as a former Yugoslav republic. "Slovenia's own excellent democracy and their willingness to help the Balkans is a tremendous asset, one the US is very thankful for."

Harpootlian, who has been in Slovenia since mid-February and witnessed the change of government in the country, said she was greatly impressed by how smoothly the general election and the transfer of power were carried out.

She is looking forward to working with Nataša Pirc Musar as Slovenia's first women president. She has met Pirc Musar on several occasions and finds her to be "delightful," and as lawyers the two have many things in common.

She also thanked the outgoing President Borut Pahor for his service, noting he was a "real asset for Slovenia" and "epitome of decorum and diplomacy."