2008 has been an important and successful year for Slovenia, with her first Presidency of the European Union in the first half of the year and general elections in the autumn. It has been a challenging year too for the British Embassy in Slovenia.

The Slovenian Presidency saw a huge increase in activity, with greater traffic, both physical and electronic, between Slovenia and Britain that ever before. Our team in Slovenia was reinforced by five British public servants, seconded into Slovenian Ministries to help them to deliver their residency objectives. UK-Slovenian partnership reached new levels across a range of areas, especially in the fields of energy, economic reform, better regulation and CFSP.

In other areas, too, the British presence in Slovenia became more visible. The British Chamber of Commerce in Slovenia was established in the New year, and in September, the British International School of Ljubljana welcomed its first pupils. The Embassy has been happy to support both initiatives and we wish them both every success in the future. The highpoint of the Embassy's year came in October, with the State Visit to Slovenia by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were made very welcome by President Danilo Tuerk and Mrs Barbara Miklic Tuerk. Their programme included encounters with Slovenes from all walks of life and provided a welcome opportunity to learn something of the spirit and culture of Slovenia. The Visit was also an occasion for Her Majesty to congratulate Slovenia for the achievements of the past seventeen years, culminating in the successful Presidency of the EU earlier this year, and to nderline the United Kingdom's commitment to continuing close partnership with Slovenia in the future.

For the staff of the Embassy, the State Visit was a major project. We particularly enjoyed our close co-operation with the President's office, with the Protocol of the Republic of Slovenia and with the many partners who helped organise specific events. After months of preparation, the three days seemed to pass by in a flash. But we have some fine memories to keep. My own strongest memory is of the crowds who came to greet Her Majesty in Prešeren Square on the second day. This moment has to be the highlight of
my time so far as British Ambassador to Slovenia.

The New Year will bring new challenges for the Embassy, along with new colleagues to represent British interests in Slovenia. Caroline and I will leave Post in mid-January, after three and a half very happy years. I know my successor will find Slovenia a hospitable, exciting and rewarding country in which to work. I wish them, and our bilateral relationship, every possible success.