Press Releases

Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Chairman of the House U.S.-Slovenia Friendship Caucus, and Congressman David Trone (MD-06) introduced a resolution recognizing that the alliance between our nations is critical to U.S. interests.

"As Chairman of the House U.S.-Slovenia Friendship Caucus and a proud member of the Slovenian-American community, I am proud to introduce this resolution with my colleague, Congressman David Trone of Maryland. This resolution honors Slovenia’s contribution to the global spread of democracy. In the U.S., the Slovenia-American community has contributed greatly to the development of the American dream, and abroad Slovenia consistently stands with the U.S. for freedom and peace. This resolution strengthens this bond and facilitates talks between our heads of state to continually address the dangers of the 21^st Century," said Congressman Paul Gosar.

"Over the 29 years since its independence, Slovenia has been a prime example of how democracy has taken root in Europe. I'm proud to help consolidate these gains through deeper U.S.-Slovenian relations, and I thank my colleague Congressman Paul Gosar for introducing this bipartisan resolution with me. This measure recognizes the friendship between our two countries and encourages future partnership to promote the ideals we share: peace and democratic values," said Congressman David Trone.

"I am pleased that Congressman Paul Gosar took the initiative to introduce to the House floor a resolution that emphasizes the alliance and friendship between United States and Slovenia and calls for a needed bilateral meeting of the President of the US Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša. Over the past three decades our countries have been close partners and the relationship is growing stronger every year. Together we have been pursuing many shared interests and goals around the world, most notably in promoting peace and stability but also advocating democracy, the rule of law and human rights as well as strengthening our economic ties. Now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working closely together, helping each other and sharing our experiences and research in order to come out stronger," said the Ambassador of Slovenia to the U.S. Stanislav Vidovič.

The resolution is a commemoration of Slovenia’s independence movement from the former Yugoslavia which resulted in the establishment of a free parliamentarian republic. Slovenia’s sovereignty was quickly recognized by the United States and together our nations work on a host of issues in bilateral and multilateral settings. As Slovenia celebrates its 29^th independence celebration, this resolution calls for a bilateral meeting between the President and Prime Minister to honor our shared democratic ideals and to renew and further extend our strong bilateral relations.

Background

Located in south Central Europe with a coastline on the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia is a strategically located country located in the middle of the ideological fight of the 20^th Century. During World War II, Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia and partitioned Slovenia, where it was absorbed into the Reich and other portions of the Axis powers. Slovenia then became a constituent state of communist Yugoslavia, at first a Stalinist state and then its own communist state ruled under Tito.

After years of communist rule, Slovenia declared itself independent from Yugoslavia and then an independent, sovereign nation. President George H.W. Bush recognized its independence and since then our nations enjoy a strong relationship promoting stability in the region, peace in global conflicts, and working together to advance democratic ideals in multilateral organizations.

However, the 21^st Century international arena requires the United States Government to focus on great power competition, and China and Russia have increased its reach into regions throughout the world to grow its global power. In Central Europe, China is seeking to connect infrastructure and energy investment to foster the development of its Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to connect European nations to China for the economic and strategic benefit of the Chinese Communist Party. Russian influence in the former communist states runs east-west with the intent of making our transatlantic partners reliant on Russian natural resources and energy.

Slovenia is a U.S. ally facing adversity from China and Russia. Its history makes it keenly aware of the dangers posed by communist and authoritarian powers. This resolution is tailored with the intent of reaffirming and bolstering our alliance by bringing our nations together once again for the benefit of the U.S., Slovenia, our strategic alliances, and the honorable Slovenia-American community which resides throughout our great nation.