"Bulgaria is an exceptional partner to the US, and Europe. We see that every day in various ways," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Friday after meeting here with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel. The meeting was also attended by the ministers of Finance and Defence, Assen Vassilev and Todor Tagarev, the Bulgarian Government information service reported. The meeting as part of the 60th Munich Security Conference 2024, held February 16-18.
An emphasis was placed during the talks on the cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the fields of defence and nuclear energy. The process of modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in view of the new equipment purchased - the Stryker armoured combat vehicles and the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets - was highlighted. "We continue to deepen the integration between Bulgaria, the European Union and NATO," Anthony Blinken said. The US Secretary of State specifically thanked Bulgaria for its assistance to Ukraine, with which it demonstrates leadership that is important for security and stability in the entire Black Sea region.
Bulgaria is a key country in the efforts to protect the Black Sea region and NATO's Eastern flank, said Prime Minister Denkov. At the beginning of the talks with Blinken, Denkov pointed out that the current problems could be used as opportunities for the development of the region and for positioning Bulgaria and NATO in a way that would ensure stability. "We are very committed and that is why we are here with Mariya Gabriel - to work together where Bulgaria belongs - in the structures of Europe and NATO, as a reliable partner," said Denkov.The Prime Minister specially thanked the US for its support when Russia stopped gas supplies to Bulgaria.
"You were there to help us and we can rely on each other in the future," added Denkov.
The fight against disinformation was also in the focus of the talks and the possibilities for further coordination of efforts in this respect were discussed.
Denkov focused on the development of the South-North corridor, from the Greek ports, through Bulgaria to Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. These are tasks that on the one hand require serious investments, and on the other hand are very important for both the economic and defence development of the region, the Bulgarian Prime Minister said.
During the meeting the issue of combating trafficking in human beings and dual-use goods was also discussed.
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