NEWS

The United States: Bulgaria May be a Factor for Change in Southeast Europern

The United States will continue to firmly support Bulgaria on its way of conducting reforms and as a stability factor in the whole region of Southeast Europe. This is what emerged at the meeting held between President Rosen Plevneliev and Joseph Biden, US vice president, within the 51st Munich Security Conference. Bulgaria is planning to implement ambitious reforms for modernization and adhering to the rule-of-law principle, which Vice President Biden praised. Bulgaria can be a factor for change in the whole region, Joseph Biden said at the meeting with the Bulgarian Head of State.

The two exchanged opinions on the situation in Eastern Ukraine, on energy security issues and the progress of implementing reforms in key sectors in Bulgaria.

President Rosen Plevneliev and Vice President Joseph Biden shared the opinion that the crisis in Eastern Ukraine has the potential to destabilize the region of Southeastern Europe. Therefore a dialogue should be held and the ties between the Balkan countries should be strengthened, which could speed up the integration processes. “Bulgaria is an important factor in the region. We have achieved a lot in the past 25 years. However, today we should continue making history and further build the democratic institutions,” the Head of State said at the talks. President Rosen Plevneliev was adamant that our country is on the right road, it has set clear priorities and currently they should be implemented. Bulgaria is completely aware of the problems it is facing and the United States will continue to support every step that leads to stability and security, which is also important for the US investors, Vice President Biden said, for his part.

The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the US will find a concrete expression in the activities of the working groups formed in the security and defense sector, in the sectors of energy security, the rule of law and the education and contacts between people.

The first meetings of the working groups are to be scheduled, which will have to outline concrete steps to ensure the progress of the cooperation in the respective sectors.

Energy diversification and the construction of gas inter-connectors with Greece is of key importance for Bulgaria’s energy independence, it was further pointed out at the meeting. The implementation of the decisions made at the NATO summit in Wales was also debated, as well as the necessity to modernize the Bulgarian army to ensure interoperability with the NATO partner armies. The United State reiterated their high appraisal of Bulgaria’s contribution to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.