Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov held a meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of the United States of America to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten
18 April 2023 News
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov held a meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Bulgaria Kenneth Merten at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The prospect of deepening the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States was among the highlights of the talks, including the key importance of bilateral cooperation in the field of security and defence.
The main topic of the discussions was the maintenance of the capabilities of the Bulgarian Air Force and the joint efforts to modernize the Bulgarian army.
The efforts undertaken by Bulgaria to achieve energy diversification — the construction of interconnections, access to liquefied natural gas and securing supplies of fresh nuclear fuel and oil — were highly appreciated. Our country's contribution to the energy stability of the region was highlighted.
Cooperation between the two countries in the field of human rights and the fight against human trafficking were also discussed.
Support for the European integration of the Western Balkan countries was reaffirmed, with special attention being paid to the need to meet the established criteria and the implementation of the agreements reached.
The two sides discussed the process of Bulgaria's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and its role as a catalyst for the necessary reforms and a strong positive signal to other countries in the region.
Bulgaria's inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program and the launch of talks on a Social Security Agreement were also among the issues discussed.
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