Biden hosts Slovenian premier for first White House sit-down in 18 years

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden hosted Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob at the White House on Tuesday in the first such visit by a leader of the NATO ally in nearly two decades.

Biden lauded Golob for his assistance in securing the release of 16 people, including four Americans, during a prisoner swap deal with Russia in August.

"I want to thank you for your diplomacy, thank your country for support, and your leadership and partnership -- you made it possible. That's not hyperbole. You made it possible. Thank you," Biden said during remarks in the Oval Office.

"We made it clear to anyone who questions whether our allies matter. Well, they just look at what you did. They matter a great deal," he added.

Golob, for his part, said, "With a little help of true friends, nothing is impossible."

"I think that's really what our joint effort with the prisoner swap demonstrated to all of the world. And let's continue to work in true friendship and with a lot of friends," he added.