H.E. Edward Ferguson yesterday handed over letters of credence to the President of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Aleksandar Vučić and thus formally assumed the duties of ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Serbia
Ambassador Ferguson pointed out that he believes that there is great potential to improve cooperation between Serbia and Britain in the areas of mutual trade, technology, and environmental protection, as well as in the areas of culture and education.
“My family and I are very excited to be back in the Balkans. On a professional level, I want to revitalize the historically good relations between the United Kingdom and Serbia. During the two world wars, our countries stood by each other defending common values against, as it seemed at the time, the invincible powers of the enslavers. I want to renew and strengthen those ties that have existed for almost two centuries, to build modern relations that are focused on the future, and which will be based on mutual respect and common interests. Speaking of personal feelings, my wife Caroline and I love this region very much. Our youngest daughter was born in Sarajevo. I spent a wonderful month in Novi Sad while I was preparing for this position. We can’t wait to visit and explore many beautiful places and meet great people all over Serbia,” said Ambassador Ferguson.
Prior to Serbia, Ambassador Ferguson held the position of Minister Counselor for Defense at the British Embassy in Washington DC, where he led a network of the British Ministry of Defense that includes approximately 1,000 people in 28 countries and oversaw British-American military cooperation in the field of strategic planning, nuclear politics, defense trade as well as science and technology.
From 2014-2018. he served as the British ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina where, together with his German colleague, he created a new international strategy that reactivated the process of socio-economic and Euro-Atlantic integration reforms after a long period of stagnation.
In 2001, Edward completed his classical studies at Oxford University with a first-class honors degree. After that, he joined the Ministry of Defense where, among other things, he worked as the closest collaborator of the Ministry of Defense on operations in Iraq and then led the team in charge of military operations in Afghanistan. He also served as Head of Strategy at the UK Ministry of Defense from 2012-2014, where he was responsible for designing the UK’s future armed forces.
In 2013, he graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with an MSc with Distinction in Strategy and Diplomacy. He is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter University’s Strategy and Security Institute.
Ambassador Ferguson is married to Caroline, with whom he has three children – the youngest, Mimi, will live with them in Belgrade, while Henry and Tessa will be studying in Britain. He enjoys singing, skiing, long walks, and good books.
