NEWS

The President debated the situation in Bulgaria at a meeting with the American Atlantic Council in Washington

Support for the policy of diversification of the energy sources, energy efficiency and liberalization of the energy market was expressed yesterday at a meeting between President Rosen Plevneliev and the Board of the American Atlantic Council in Washington, which took place late last night. The head of state debated the situation in Bulgaria in the past months together with representatives of the Atlantic Council, among which were Frederick Kemre, CEO of the orgnaization, ambassador Julie Finley, director of the Board, and Marie Yovanovich, assistant Secretary of State  for European and Euroasian Affairs.

According to representatives of the Atlantic Council, Bulgaria should be highly praised for its role in ensuring security and stability in Southeastern Europe. The Atlantic Council considers the situation in Bulgaria as an opportunity to accelerate the reforms and realize the potential for social and economic development. During the meeting hope was expressed that after the general election on 12 May, a government will be quickly formed, which will address the important issues.

The topics of security, NATO's concept of "intelligent defense"and cross-Atlantic partnership were also debated at the talks. The President pointed out that Bulgaria can seek opportunities for cooperation and uniting the resources of other countries in the region, NATO member states, while modernizing the Bulgarian army.

The feat of the Bulgarian people, who saved not only the Jewish community in Bulgaria 70 years ago, but also thousands of other Jews in the death camps that got transit visas during World War Two, was also emphasized at the meeting.

President Rosen Plevneliev is on a working visit in the United States to participate in commemorating 100 years of the foundation of the Anti-Defamation League.  The anniversary will be marked at a gala dinner in Washington titled "Imagine a World without Hatred". More than 1,000 people will attend the event, representatives of the organization, of different religions, human rights activists, as well as representatives of the US Congress, of the White House, of the State Department, of the business environment.

 Earlier the head of state will take part in a debate on the topic "Cross-Atlantic link in a new era", organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, the International Research Faculty at the John Hopkins University and the German Marshall fund of the United States. Scholars and experts in security and diplomacy issues will debate the strategic EU-US partnership, as well as issues reated to peace and security. In his statement, the Bulgarian president will lay the emphasis on the cross-Atlantic economic relations, as well on issues of energy security.