Ibadan, 22 April 2024. – Slovenia has become the 39th Signatory to the Artemis Accords after it and NASA affirmed their cooperation in future space endeavors on Friday. The signing certified the Country’s commitment to pursue safe and sustainable exploration of space for the benefit of humanity and took place during a U.S.-Slovenia strategic dialogue in Ljubljana, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Offices.
State Secretary Matevž Frangež of the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism, and Sport signed the Accords on behalf of Slovenia, with James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, participating in the signing event. Furthermore, Rebecca Bresnik, Associate General Counsel for International and Space Law, served as the senior NASA official at the ceremony, along with her husband, Randy Bresnik, who is a NASA astronaut of Slovenian descent. Ambassador Jamie Harpootlian, the U.S. ambassador to the Country, also contributed to the event.
Speaking on the signing, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commented, “NASA welcomes Slovenia to the Artemis Accords. Today, the partnership between the United States and Slovenia crosses a new frontier. We live in a golden era of exploring the stars. That era will be written by nations that explore the cosmos openly, responsibly, and in peace.” Likewise, Frangež added, “Slovenia joins the principles, values, and rules on the peaceful use of space as a common good of humanity.”
Harpootlian also added, “We are happy to welcome Slovenia to the Artemis Accords family as we recognize the Country as a rising leader in space. We look forward to taking our collaborations with Slovenia on science, technology, and innovation to new frontiers.”
