US confirms new ambassador to Slovenia
Career diplomat Asel K. Roberts has officially assumed her post as US ambassador to Slovenia after presenting her credentials to President Nataša Pirc Musar, pledging to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
On arriving in Slovenia last week, Roberts addressed the public in Slovenian in a video released by the US Embassy, saying she had been learning the language since March and intended to continue the effort in order to have direct contact with people and explore the country's culture, nature and customs.
Roberts said she was assuming office at an important time for the partnership between the two countries, describing Slovenia as a trusted friend and strong partner of the US.
Her arrival in the country comes as the new government pledged to boost ties with the US, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.
The career diplomat was nominated for the post by President Donald Trump in February before being endorsed by the Senate in May. In her hearing she pledged to strive for Slovenia to remain a key player in deterrence and defence of NATO.
She said Slovenia's strategic role between Central Europe and the Western Balkans provided opportunities to deepen transatlantic trade. The countries share interests, democratic values and economic ties, and cooperate in the field of defence, she said. She also plans to focus on economic cooperation.
Roberts had previously served in the Office of the Chief of Protocol for over two decades and as the acting chief of protocol in the Biden administration. In Ljubljana, she succeeds Jamie Harpootlian, who served as US ambassador to Slovenia from 2021 to 2024.
Born in Kazakhstan in 1976, Roberts emigrated to the United States after the collapse of the Soviet Union and studied international law and international organisations at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. In addition to English and now Slovenian, she also speaks Russian, Kazakh and Japanese.
She is married to Sean Roberts, a professor of international affairs at the George Washington University. They have a daughter.
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