Bulgarian Prime Minister visits NATO headquarters
Bulgaria was commended for its contributions to Allied missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo during the Bulgarian Prime Minister’s visit to NATO headquarters on Wednesday (27 March 2013). “Bulgaria is an important NATO Ally and a pillar of our security in southeast Europe,” said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister Marin Raykov’s decision to make NATO one of his first stops after taking office earlier this month reflects the country’s strong commitment to the Alliance, the Secretary General said. “You are committed to our collective defence and to our operations and you are making significant contributions to our missions. We thank you for your firm support and we thank your troops for their courage and professionalism.”
The Secretary General also welcomed Bulgaria’s participation in multinational defence projects. “We need to make the best of what we have, by spending more smartly and working together. This is a collective effort where all Allies have a role to play,” he said.
On the Western Balkans, Mr. Fogh Rasmussen thanked Bulgaria for its strong support of the integration of the region into the wider Euro-Atlantic community . “The most effective way to bring lasting stability is to actively support Euro-Atlantic aspirations in this region and I know that Bulgaria is a strong champion of this vision,” he said.