At the summit in Chicago, NATO is declaring clearly and categorically that it will work together to expand its skills and be strong and independent, President Rosen Plevneliev said the day before the meeting at the alliance’s highest level. It is expected that heads of state and government of NATO countries will adopt a declaration on the capabilities needed for the development of NATO forces to 2020 and demonstrate a positive vision for the organization's readiness to cope with short- and long-term security challenges.
At the forum, the conclusion will be announced of the first phase of the building of a missile defence system. Bulgaria is among the countries included in its scope.
The main topic at the summit of the alliance will be going over to the Alliance’s plan to withdraw from Afghanistan, and its contribution to the NATO countries to security in the country beyond 2014. Bulgaria will continue to participate with their instructors and will contribute to the fund to support Afghan security forces. As part of the forum, a meeting with NATO partner countries will be held.
Bulgarian President is expected to conduct a series of bilateral meetings, including with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili, with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and Norway, Jens Stoltenberg. “I want to show them the new face of Bulgarian policy and exchange information on global political and economic processes,” the President said on his arrival in Chicago. Joining the President in the delegation to the forum are Minister of Foreign Affairs Nickolay Mladenov and Minister of Defence Anyu Angelov.