site.btaForeign MinisterTalks with US Ambassador Ries

Sofia, August 21 (BTA) - Caretaker Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov Thursday met with US Ambassador to Bulgaria Marcie Ries, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release. They discussed the current state of bilateral relations and topics on the international agenda.

Mitov and Ries agreed that the active dialogue between Bulgaria and the US should continue, and they underscored the mutual desire for wider contacts in the sphere of economy and trade, where there is unused potential.

In this context, the Foreign Minister said that Bulgaria as a EU Member State actively supports the constructive negotiations between the Union and the US on the signing of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). In his words, this agreement is important not only because of the increase of the number of jobs and growth, but also from a geostrategical point of view.

Mitov and the US Ambassador also discussed the cooperation in law enforcement, defence and security, and the Foreign Minister appraised highly the US' support for the development of capabilities and the increase of Bulgaria's efficiency in this sphere. Ries noted Bulgaria's contribution as a NATO ally in places such as Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq. The two sides confirmed their desire to continue the negotiations on a training of Libyan service members when the situation in Libya is stable enough, the press release reads.

Mitov and the US Ambassador expressed strong concern about the situation in Iraq and underscored the need of a strong and immediate commitment in support of the Iraqi authorities both on the part of the international community and the countries in the region. The Foreign Minister condemned the barbaric murder of American journalist James Foley, describing it as yet another brutal act of cruelty by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The development of the Ukraine crisis was also discussed at the meeting. Mitov and Ries expressed the hope for a positive result from the  four-lateral talks in Berlin and underscored the responsibility Russia bears for the de-escalation of tension in Ukraine.