site.btaForeign Minister Kondov and US Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien Discuss Cooperation in Key Areas

Caretaker Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov and US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien discussed at a meeting in New York on Monday deepening the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the USA and the possibilities for further activation of cooperation in key areas, said the press centre of the Foreign Ministry. The key sectors included security and defence, energy diversification, trade and economy, innovation and technology, strengthening democracy and the rule of law.

Ivan Kondov and James O'Brien also discussed the issue of concluding a Social Security Agreement between Bulgaria and the USA, which would be in the interest of Bulgarian citizens working or living in the USA.

Bulgaria's inclusion in the US  Visa Waiver Programme was another important topic in the conversation between the two, added the Foreign Ministry. Minister Kondov said that achieving full visa reciprocity with the US is a key issue in the bilateral dialogue and Bulgaria remains committed to implementing all necessary steps to ensure  inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme. He pointed out  that the inclusion of Bulgaria in the Programme would not only demonstrate the strategic nature of bilateral relations, but would also bring significant benefits to the economy, security and tourism of both countries and would become an important tool for improving and deepening contacts between people.