The Ambassador
Statement of U.S. Ambassador Yousif B. Ghafari
Upon His Departure
January 16, 2009
It has been a great honor and a privilege to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia.
During my tenure, Slovenia and the U.S. have worked together to further bilateral investment and trade, to increase the opportunities for academic and cultural exchange, and to advance and deepen US-EU ties. As partners in NATO, our collaboration has improved prospects for peace, democracy and prosperity in the region and far beyond our national borders -- in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq . We support and appreciate the engagement of the Slovenian government, business and NGOs in the countries of the Western Balkans, where they are helping their neighbors to become fully-integrated members of European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.
I would like to express my thanks to the Slovenian community for its very warm welcome to Mara and me during our time here. You have extended to us some very wonderful opportunities and our memories of Slovenia will last forever: from Bled to Koper, Maribor to Slovenske Konjice, Krsko to Trebnje. Our diplomatic life has opened up avenues of friendship in many different circles – in government, business, academia, and in service to the broader community. We have hosted many visitors, most importantly President and Mrs. Bush at the US-EU Summit, as well as many others whom we have enjoyed introducing to Slovenia. We expect they will be back, and our love of your country and the friendships we have made will surely bring us back to the most beautiful city in the world. And of course, I look forward to a return visit to climb Mount Triglav once again !
Thank you for this opportunity to be of service to our two countries. I am confident that the U.S. and Slovenia will continue to enjoy close bilateral ties as partners in the transatlantic community .