site.btaDefence Minister Karakachanov Starts US Visit

Sofia, October 6 (BTA) - The progress in Bulgaria-US security
and defence cooperation received high marks at a meeting between
 Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Krassimir
Karakachanov and Markus Thomi, Director for NATO and European
Affairs at the National Security Council, The White House.

This was the first in a series of meetings during Karakachanov's
 working visit to the US, which started on October 5, the
Defence Ministry said.

The sides stressed that the meeting between Bulgarian Prime
Minister Boyko Borissov and US President Donald Trump last
November played a key role in deepening the strategic dialogue
between Sofia and Washington.

Karakachanov delivered a personal letter from Borissov to
President Trump.

Also on the agenda of the meeting were the Euro-Atlantic
integration of the Western Balkans, with an emphasis on
Bulgaria's role as a generator of security and stability in the
region.

Some of the countries in the Western Balkans are yet to fully
meet the EU accession criteria and fulfil their commitments
arising from bilateral agreements with other countries in the
region, said the Bulgarian official.

In conclusion, he stressed the importance of the EU and NATO in
security and defence, stressing the increasing role of bilateral
 cooperation with the US in the context of heightened security
risks in the Balkans, the Black Sea region and the Middle East.

The meeting was attended by Bulgaria's Chief of Defence, Admiral
 Emil Eftimov, Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov,
Brigadier General Radostin Iliev, head of the Defence Ministry's
 Defence Policy and Planning Directorate, and Alexander Urumov,
head of the Ministry's PR and Protocol Directorate.

Later in the day, Karakachanov and representatives of the
Lockheed Martin management discussed the implementation of the
contract for supply of eight F-16 fighter jets. The Lockheed
Martin representatives stressed that the production process was
making progress as agreed and stated their readiness for further
 cooperation in the modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Karakachanov is scheduled to meet with US Defence Secretary Mark
 Esper and to hold meetings at the Senate and the Department of
State.
NV/DD