site.btaBulgaria-US Defence Cooperation Discussed during High-Level Talks

Sofia, June 22 (BTA) - Georgi Panayotov, Minister of Defence in
Bulgaria's caretaker government, had a video conference with
Mara Karlin, US Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for
International Security Affairs, Panayotov's ministry reported on
 Tuesday.

They discussed bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed its
strategic nature. Panayotov said the carrying out of activities
of mutual interest makes for long-term fruitful cooperation
between the defence institutions and the armed forces of
Bulgaria and the United States, both bilaterally and in the
framework of the joint efforts to expand and reinforce NATO's
capabilities.

Karlin thanked Bulgaria for its consistent policy and the
progress achieved in a number of subsectors of defence
cooperation. She and Panayotov reiterated their countries'
desire to build upon joint initiatives in the context of the
Strategic Dialogue between Sofia and Washington. NV/VE