Since the first day of her appointment, Ambassador Herro Mustafa has worked devotedly and energetically to promote political dialogue and expand cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States in all areas of mutual interest. This is what President Rumen Radev said when he conferred the Madara Horseman Order, First Degree, on Herro Mustafa, Ambassador of the United States of America to Bulgaria. The ceremony took place in the Coat of Arms Hall at the Presidency in the presence of representatives of the Bulgarian institutions, the diplomatic corps, and the family of the American ambassador.
In his address, the President said that the high state award was an expression of the appreciation for Ambassador Mustafa's dedicated work and indisputable personal contribution to the advancement of the strategic partnership between the United States and Bulgaria. The head of State stressed that the strategic dialogue between Bulgaria and the United States had opened up opportunities for further structuring joint efforts in a number of important areas, with specific results and key agreements reached in security and defence, mobile communications, scientific and technological cooperation and energy sectors.
Strengthening the rule of law, the fight against corruption, terrorism and organised crime were also in the focus of our joint activities, Radev added. The President stressed that Bulgaria would continue to rely on its partnership with the United States for modernising the Armed Forces and beefing up the defence capabilities of the Bulgarian Army as a sustainable guarantor of this country's sovereignty.
The growth in bilateral economic exchange, which amounts to USD 1.3 billion, as well as the partnership in the energy sector and the support provided to this country by the US in the face of the threat of gas supply disruptions were also highlighted by the head of State.
In this global context full of extraordinary challenges, Ambassador Mustafa and her team were always ready to provide assistance and help, to work with Bulgarian institutions to find sustainable and mutually beneficial solutions contributing to greater security, stability, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as to a better, fairer, and greener future, Radev said.
The head of State also stressed that Ambassador Mustafa's active participation in numerous events and initiatives, like meetings with schoolchildren, students, representatives of the civil society, cultural, scientific and business circles, had given a new impetus to every aspect of bilateral cooperation. Thanks to her casual and direct approach, sincere interest, and respect for Bulgarian traditions and culture, her appeals for justice, dignity, solidarity, and mutual assistance have reached a wide range of people, the head of State concluded.
In her acceptance remarks, Ambassador Mustafa expressed gratitude for the high state award, which she regarded as a testimony of the successful cooperation over the last three and a half years and a symbol of the deep and durable alliance between the United States and Bulgaria as friends, partners, and allies. The Ambassador also highlighted the deepening of cooperation in defence, energy, and economy. She also noted the efforts in transport, education, and culture to strengthen the ties between the two nations. Hero Mustafa also said that she was leaving this country but would always remain an ambassador of Bulgarian culture.