The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its pleasure on the news of the appointment of Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Canada Dr Melita Gabrič as the new Head of the European Union Delegation in Ottawa. The appointment will be formally confirmed once the receiving state issues an agrément. It is the most prominent appointment of a Slovenian official in the European diplomacy during the sixteen years of Slovenian EU membership.
The Ambassador was appointed to this post not only by virtue of her excellence and aptitude, which are the most important criteria, but also owing to the activities and new approaches taken by Slovenian diplomacy in the recent months, seeking to put Slovenia back on the European and international foreign policy map.
Dr Gabrič is a Slovenian career diplomat. Since her appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Ottawa in 2018, she has been successfully representing Slovenia’s interests in Canada and Cuba, covering the latter non-residentially. She has made a significant contribution to further consolidating bilateral relations and has actively pursued opportunities for strengthening economic and science cooperation. She has devoted particular attention to developing the Slovenian community in Canada and maintaining its ties with the homeland.
As the second largest country in the world, Canada is one of the major strategic partners of the EU. The EU-Canada formal partnership dates back to 1959 and underwent an important upgrade in 2016 with the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. In addition, besides numerous cultural and interpersonal ties, the EU and Canada share common ground on respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and international peace and security.