site.btaPM Borissov Meets with New US Ambassador Mustafa

October 22 (BTA) - Meeting with the new US Ambassador to Bulgaria, Herro Mustafa, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said Bulgaria and the US are allies and strategic partners. The two countries have established a steady political dialogue at all levels, the government information service said. 

Borissov congratulated the US Ambassador on her appointment and said he was confident that Bulgarian-US diplomatic relations would keep their upward momentum.

Borissov noted the excellent interaction in security and defence, both on a bilateral basis and within NATO. He said the US administration and the Bulgarian government attach a great importance to meeting the commitment entered at the NATO Wales Summit in 2014 to spend a minimum of 2 per cent of GDP on defence. Borissov stressed that Sofia has practically achieved that goal by signing deals on the acquisition of F-16 Block 70 aircraft and support equipment and weapons.

The Prime Minister noted the potential for building upon the strategic partnership with the US in other areas, including energy security, high-tech development, education, science and culture. He stressed the importance of Bulgaria-US cooperation in people-to-people contacts, bolstered by various programmes and initiatives promoting exchanges of students, researchers and business representatives. Borissov mentioned as a positive trend the steady increase of American tourists to Bulgaria in recent years.

Ambassador Mustafa briefed Borissov on the US Embassy's top priorities. DT/DD