Harrison, who presented her credentials to Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar on 13 August, made history as the UK’s first blind ambassador. She is accompanied by her guide dog, Otto, a labrador-golden retriever cross, marking another first for British diplomacy.
In her opening remarks, Harrison emphasized the solid foundation of UK-Slovenia relations and highlighted the potential for further collaboration. Reflecting the priorities set by the UK’s new Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, she stated, “The areas I would be very keen to focus on would be defence and security cooperation, whether bilaterally or as partners within NATO, working together more closely on climate change and energy security, and supporting economic growth.”
Harrison, who previously served in Sarajevo, also expressed a deep personal interest in the Western Balkans, aligning with Slovenia’s stance that the Euro-Atlantic path offers the best long-term security for the region. She underscored her commitment to working alongside Slovenia to advance this shared vision.
Harrison, who studied Slovenian at the University of Nottingham, brings a unique blend of linguistic and regional expertise to her new role
“My guide dog Otto is also delighted to be here, as he is the first guide dog to accompany a British ambassador anywhere in the world,” Harrison remarked, adding a personal touch to her historic appointment. “We look forward to visiting all parts of the country together.”
Her appointment signals a renewed focus on deepening the UK’s strategic partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe, with Slovenia playing a pivotal role in the UK’s broader regional strategy.
