Bulgaria is an exceptional Partner to US, US Secretary of State Blinken says

"Bulgaria is an exceptional partner to the US and, for Europe. We see this manifested every day in many different ways", said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken after a meeting with Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel on February 16.

The meeting was also attended by Finance and Defence Ministers, Assen Vassilev and Todor Tagarev. During the talks, which lasted longer than planned, emphasis was placed on the cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the fields of defence and nuclear energy.

The process of modernisation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in view of the new equipment purchased - the Stryker machines and the F16 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, thus demonstrating 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, the Eastern flank of NATO, Prime Minister, Acad. Nikolay Denkov, said.

At the beginning of the talks with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the Prime Minister 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," PM Denkov said.

The Prime Minister especially 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 Acad. 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.

Prime Minister Denkov also 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, on the other hand are very important for both the economic and defence development of the region," the Prime Minister was adamant.

During the meeting, the issue of combating trafficking in human beings and dual-use goods was also discussed.

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