SLOVENIA - UNITED STATES RELATIONS

The United States formally recognized Slovenia on April 7, 1992. Since Slovenia's independence, the United States and Slovenia have developed strong, cooperative relations and partnership on a broad range of issues, from promoting regional security to developing closer bilateral trade and investment ties.

In October 1997, Slovenia joined the group of countries whose citizens enjoy the privilege of visa-free travel to the United States.

With strong US support, Slovenia has created International Trust Fund for Enhancing Human Security (ITF), before year 2011 known as International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. ITF activities in the region of Southeast Europe have contributed to the successful completion of landmine clearance activities in Albania, Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro. Major mine action and conventional weapon destruction projects are being implemented in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia, and now even further afield in Central Asia, Middle East and Latin America.

Slovenia has been a persistent and firm advocate of strengthening transatlantic cooperation and an ally in the fight against terrorism and proliferation: in March 2004 Slovenia became a NATO member, in June 2005 Slovenia endorsed Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and in April 2005 signed the Agreement on cooperation in preventing illicit trafficking in nuclear materials by setting up of a portal detector in Port Koper and border crossing with Croatia.

Slovenia has ratified all thirteen international anti-terrorism conventions. Slovenia is party to the Wassenaar arrangement controlling exports of weapons and sensitive technology to countries of concern. Slovenia is an active participant in Southeast European Defense Ministerial (SEDM) activities.

Slovenia contributed troops and resources to the NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and continues to be very active in the EUFOR ALTHEA and NATO Joint Enterprise. In Kosovo, Slovenia actively participates in the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR), Slovenian soldiers pair up with Colorado National Guard Soldiers in Afghanistan, there are Slovenian troops in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a few more in Syria (UNTSO), Serbia and Macedonia as part of NATO’s Joint Enterprise missions.