Bulgaria’s President, Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, visited NATO Headquarters on Thursday 26 January 2012. He met with the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

At the beginning of the meeting the Bulgarian Head of State reaffirmed our country’s commitment to the principles and purposes of NATO. He stressed the vital importance of the transatlantic link for addressing the 21st century’s security challenges.

The Secretary General discussed preparations for the Alliance’s upcoming summit meeting in Chicago and the main issues on its agenda: the mission in Afghanistan, the partnerships and the capacity development.

He praised the concept of Smart Defence, through which the European Allies increase the effectiveness of their defence spending by cooperating and prioritising. This view was shared by the Bulgarian part, the President Plevneliev outlining the multinational projects in which Bulgaria is interested in cooperating.

The Bulgarian part reiterated its understanding that NATO’s Open Door policy must continue.

During the meeting was reaffirmed the support for further enhancing NATO’s partnerships, and in particular the cooperation with partners from the Middle East and North Africa, to which Bulgaria stands ready to contribute.

Missile Defence and the cooperation with Russia were also on the agenda. During the meeting was discussed the progress of the Missile Defence plans for Europe, which fully meets the expectations regarding the efficient protection of the European territory and population of the Alliance, including those of Bulgaria. Both parts reiterated that NATO Missile Defence is not directed against Russia and reaffirmed the willingness to continue the active dialogue and practical cooperation in the framework of the NRC.

At a joint press conference after the meeting the Secretary General praised Bulgaria’s valuable contribution across NATO’s agenda priorities. "Bulgaria is an important NATO Ally, an anchor of security in South-Eastern Europe", he said. The Secretary General commended in particular Bulgaria’s active participation in NATO’s operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Libya.

For his part, the President  reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to defend the Alliance’s values and for its contribution to the Alliance’s operations and missions.

Concerning the Western Balkans, the Secretary General said that the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries from the Region is the best way to achieve regional security and stability. For its part “Bulgaria wants to be a good partner ready to assume responsibilities in the region and willing to have its voice heard”, the President stated.