site.btaBulgarian Interior Minister Meets with US Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has met with US Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Todd Wilcox, the Ministry said on its website. The two discussed opportunities to expand the highly effective law enforcement cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States.

Wilcox noted the excellent operational partnership between the Diplomatic Security Service at the United States Embassy and the Interior Ministry. He pointed to the ongoing cooperation between the United States and Bulgaria, which protects the citizens of both countries from illegal migration, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Wilcox thanked Demerdzhiev for his consistent support and confirmed the United States’ readiness to continue assisting Bulgaria in achieving its goals in the fight against crime.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security said that the joint efforts had contributed to improving security at the busiest border of Bulgaria and the European Union, while helping prevent the illegal entry of criminal individuals into the United States and Europe. He added that the Diplomatic Security Service and the Ministry of Interior had maintained a longstanding partnership built on joint investigations, operations, training, and the exchange of best practices, all aimed at ensuring citizens' safety.

The meeting was also attended by H. Martin McDowell, Charge d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Bulgaria, who also expressed appreciation for the positive results of the partnership. He said that it was an example of successful bilateral cooperation serving the national interests of both countries and the security of their citizens. He added that there was a shared commitment to deepening existing areas of interaction and expanding cooperation into new fields in order to protect people from crimes and malicious acts that could threaten their safety.

Demerdzhiev noted that Bulgaria regards the United States as a key and strategic partner in the field of security. "Our cooperation is based on shared values and a common understanding of the need to protect democratic institutions and the rule of law," the Minister said. He expressed readiness to work for continuity and predictability, as well as to build on what has already been achieved, adding that the Ministry of Interior will continue to rely on US support in its efforts to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and terrorism.

Over the past year, cooperation between the United States and Bulgaria in law enforcement and border security has expanded significantly. The increased exchange of information and joint investigations have contributed to countering transnational organized crime, drug and human trafficking networks, identifying and detaining proven or suspected terrorists and other high-risk individuals, preventing cyber threats, limiting illegal migration, and successfully holding perpetrators of crimes accountable, the Interior Ministry said.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Commissioner Martin Zlatkov, Director of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, and Senior Commissioner Radoslav Kulekov, Deputy Director of Border Police.