NEWS

 

 

President Rumen Radev discussed the security challenges in the region with US Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne Smith, during a meeting in Sofia today. The complicated security environment following Russia Federation's war against Ukraine and the hostilities between Hamas and Israel, the military crisis in the South Caucasus, as well as the escalation of tensions in the Western Balkans were the focus of the talks. US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten also participated in the meeting.

 

The Head of State underlined the role of economic, transport and energy connectivity in our region as a key factor in strengthening stability and security and addressing the consequences of disrupted supply chains due to military crises. The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States in defence, security, industrial cooperation and technology transfer, including in the process of modernisation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, was also discussed. 

 

The two were unanimous that restoring peace in Europe through diplomacy is a priority for the EU and the only way to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Old Continent.

The President recalls that the institution of the Special Commercial Administrator (SCA) was introduced by an Act adopted in 2023, which also established a number of safeguards against potential abuse and arbitrariness — safeguards of the kind already adopted in other European states faced with similar circumstances, with the objective of minimising the risk of subsequent financial claims against the State

Bulgaria stands in solidarity with Lebanon's efforts to support peace, security and stabilisation of the Middle East, which are also of utmost importance to the EU, Radev says after a meeting in Sofia with his Lebanese counterpart

The head of state awardS the Presidential Badge of Honour to the then British Ambassador to Libya