site.btaPM Borissov Reconfirms Strategic Partnership between Bulgaria, USA

108 POLITICS - PRIME MINISTER - NEW YORK - MEETINGS

PM Borissov Reconfirms
Strategic Partnership between
Bulgaria, USA


New York, September 29 (BTA) - Meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo here on Saturday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov reconfirmed the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States. In his words, the two countries share common values and interests and are committed to keeping the peace and the world order. The cooperation with the US has an important place in Bulgaria's foreign policy both on the bilateral and multilateral plain, Borissov said

Borissov underscored that the US and Bulgaria have excellent relations in the area of security and defence both on the bilateral plain and within NATO. He praised the decisive actions taken by the United States through the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI) and Operation Atlantic Resolve.

At the meeting, Borissov recalled the Bulgarian Government's approval in early 2018 of the gradual increase of defence expenditure to 2 per cent of GDP by 2024. He and Pompeo noted the close bilateral cooperation in defence and trade and economic cooperation. The Bulgarian PM said that the attraction of US investments is among the key priorities in his Government's efforts.

Borissov acquainted the US Secretary of State with the progress in the construction of Bulgaria's intersystem gas connections with Greece, Serbia and Turkey, with the modernization and enlargement of the existing gas transmission system in Bulgaria, and with the exploration for natural gas in the Black Sea. "Our country would highly appreciate the USA's support for the construction of the gas distribution centre on Bulgarian territory, which would expand Bulgaria's energy diversification and would help build a competitive and liberalized gas market in Europe," Borissov said.

PM Borissov also met with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. They discussed the activization of bilateral cooperation, the Government Information Service reported on Saturday.

The two heads of government marked specific steps for strengthening the bilateral partnership in priority areas. Borissov said that the Bulgarian business can develop activities in Cambodia in various sectors, such as textile industry, medical service, pharmaceutics, IT industry, tourism, infrastructure, and areas with value added.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, who is on the Bulgarian delegation led by Prime Minister Borissov to the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, held a series of bilateral meetings in New York, the Government Information Service said.

Zaharieva talked with the foreign ministers of Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lybia, Mozambique, Senegal, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Rwanda, and the Dominican Republic.

Zaharieva discussed Bulgaria's role in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) with UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel, and Bulgaria interaction with the Council of Europe (CoE) with CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland.

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