NEWS

President Rosen Plevneliev: Our Strategic Partnership with the US is Important not only for Bulgaria, but also for the Region

2016-01-19 17:13:00

“The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the US is extremely important not only for our country, but also for the region.” This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said, who received Victoria Nuland, Assistant US Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs at 2 Dondukov street today.

Rosen Plevneliev expressed his satisfaction with the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the US, which was reconfirmed during US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit in our country last year. The successful functioning of the working groups on developing the strategic dialogue in the security and defense, energy security, rule of law, and education sectors and the cooperation between the peoples of Bulgaria and the US was highlighted. The newly-established group for fighting terrorism has started working.

The President said that the working groups have already produced concrete results, among which are the signing of the final investment decision on building the gas inter-connector between Bulgaria and Greece and providing a cyclotron for the implementation of the project on establishing a “National Cyclotron Center” at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.  

The Head of State pointed out that Bulgaria is implementing the Readiness Action Plan, adopted at the NATO summit in Wales, and increasing defense spending. “I initiated a meeting of the Consultative Council for National Security which made a decision on increasing the defense budget from 1.19 percent of the GDP in 2015 to 1.35 percent in 2016 and a gradual increase to 2 percent in 2024,” Rosen Plevneliev said. The President also highlighted the importance of the activated NATO Force Integration Unit in Sofia in September 2015.

“As an active and reliable NATO and EU member state, Bulgaria is a factor of stability and an engine of the integration processes in the Balkans,” the Head of State said. The President and the Assistant US Secretary of State highlighted the importance of the strong democratic institutions and the active civil societies.

The Bulgarian side highly appreciates the role of the US Initiative for guaranteeing the security of the allies in Europe, including joint military exercises as well. Bulgaria and the US will strengthen their cooperation also in the sphere of cyber security, it emerged at the talks.  

Rosen Plevneliev and Victora Nuland also discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the energy security sector. The two countries voiced hope that the construction and the subsequent operation of the inter-connector between Bulgaria and Greece will begin as soon as possible. The Head of State added that our country supports the speeded up construction of the South gas corridor and the South – North gas corridor and also the establishment of a regional energy bourse. The development of the trade relations and attracting more US investments in Bulgaria in particular was highlighted as a key priority.  

The President and the  Assistant US Secretary of State also discussed the progress on key reforms for the country, with an emphasis placed on judicial reform.

MORE FROM NEWS

Rumen Radev: Success Has Accompanied Bulgarian Diplomacy When It Was Not Subject to Narrow Party Interests and Followed Clearly Formulated National Goals

22 July 2025 | 22:10
When asymmetric actions are applied to our country, we should expand our diplomatic toolset to protect national interests and, above all, the rights of our compatriots abroad, the president says on the occasion of the Day of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Service

President Rumen Radev met with representatives of Czech company Aero Vodochody

16 July 2025 | 16:04
The meeting was also attended by H.E. Miroslav Toman, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria

Radev: The Main Challenge Facing the Armed Forces Is How to Transform the Political Will and the Funds Received into Adequate Defence Capabilities in the Most Effective Way

16 July 2025 | 16:04
Head of State meets with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

At the Bulgarian Military Cemetery in Vukovar, President Radev Paid Tribute to Bulgarian Officers and Soldiers Who Perished in the Final Stage of World War II.

15 July 2025 | 15:03
The Bulgarian head of state thanks the Croatian state for its efforts to preserve the memory of the dead

ОТКРИТО УПРАВЛЕНИЕ

e-ДОКУМЕНТИ

BULGARIAN CHRISTMAS

SUPPORT A DREAM

JOHN ATANASOFF AWARD

CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY


Useful links