site.btaDefence Minister Tagarev Leaves on Five-Day Working Visit to US

Defence Minister Todor Tagarev leaves on a five-day working visit to the United States on Tuesday, his Ministry reported Monday. The visit is a continuation of the Strategic Dialogue for defence cooperation between the two countries that began in September 2023. Matters in this field will be discussed at meetings in the US Department of State, the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, the US Congress, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

On Tagarev's programme are also meetings with representatives of NGOs, such as the Jamestown Foundation and the Atlantic Council, the National Defense University as well as the companies implementing projects for the Bulgarian Army's modernization - Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics Land Systems.

On January 10, Tagarev will meet in Washington, D.C., with the National Defense University President, Lieutenant General Michael Plehn, and with representatives of the academic community. The Bulgarian Defence Minister will participate in a discussion with representatives of the Atlantic Council on security in the Black Sea, the future of the Western Balkans and NATO's eastern flank. 

On January 11, the programme features official talks at the US state institutions about a wide range of topics related to the security environment, the aid for Ukraine, the development of Bulgarian-US military cooperation and the implementation of the 10-year Road Map between the two side's defence ministries, the fight with disinformation, security in the Black Sea region, the Western Balkans' integration in Euro-Atlantic structures, and strengthening NATO's eastern flank. Matters concerning the bilateral ties will be discussed as well in relation to the 120th anniversary of Bulgaria-US diplomatic relations.

Tagarev is planned to visit Lockheed Martin's South Carolina production site, where company representatives will acquaint him with the manufacturing process of the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force.

On the Bulgarian delegation is the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, who will hold an official meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr, as well as meetings with other representatives of the US Armed Forces.