20th anniversary of Bulgaria's NATO membership celebrated at the Capitol

The 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO and our country's national holiday were celebrated at the Capitol on Wedmesday, March 6. Diplomats, military, political and cultural representatives of both countries gathered at the famous Library of Congress in Washington for a ceremony to mark the two events.

Bulgaria's Ambassador Georgi Panayotov welcomed the guests, highlighting the importance of freedom for the two historic dates Bulgaria commemorates in March. Our country's membership in the alliance, the 20th anniversary of which is celebrated on 29 March, is of utmost importance, especially at a time when relations between Bulgaria and the United States are growing stronger.

Sonata Coulter is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State at the US State Department, thanked that at a crucial moment like this Bulgaria showed courage and true character by helping Ukraine:

"Bulgaria has shown true leadership among nations and we are proud to be your friends, your allies and your partners. Our deepening friendship and commitment comes at a moment in history when the unity and strength of our transatlantic alliance is being tested and our democratic ideals are truly under attack. Not only through corrosive disinformation and corrupt practices by autocratic governments, but also militarily by a regime that seeks to destroy the peaceful world we have built since the Second World War. And at this fateful moment in history, Bulgaria showed courage, Bulgaria showed its true self."