NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Admiral Stavridis, has thanked Bulgaria for its contribution to the Alliance including with respect to its foreign missions.

Admiral James Stavridis, USN, is the current Commander, US European Command (USEUCOM) and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). He arrived to Bulgaria on Tuesday as part of a tour to the member states of the Alliance.

“Bulgaria is a worthy member of NATO. The most important goal of my visit is to thank Bulgaria for its contribution such as the NATO missions,” stated Admiral Stavridis with respect to the participation of Bulgarian troops in Iraq, the Mediterranean and Black Sea basin. He expressed his hopes that the cooperation between Bulgaria and NATO is going to deepen.

Admiral Stavridis was welcomed by the Bulgarian Head of Defense (formerly known as Head of the General Staff of the Army), Gen. Simeon Simeonov, to whom he thanked for the information about the modernization of the Bulgarian Army, which, in his words, is proceeding at a good rate.

The Supreme Allied Commander in Europe described his meetings in Sofia as both very important and extremely warm.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the honor to lay a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Warrior,” Stavridis said.

The Bulgarian Head of Defense stressed the transformation of the Bulgarian armed forces and Bulgaria’s role in Afghanistan as the most important topics his conversation with the US admiral.

“We have discussed all issues related to the Bulgarian Army, our responsibilities in different parts of the world, and the commitments that our government made to NATO,” said Simeonov after his talks with his high-ranking guest.

Admiral Stavridis also met with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov for about an hour; the meeting was also attended by General Simeonov and the Bulgarian Defense Minister, Gen. Anyu Angelov.

“Mr. Borisov, you works is well known in the USA. You have done a great job in this part of the world. Our cooperation with Bulgaria within NATO and in the relations with the United States is very good, and we will be happy to see it continue to develop,” said NATO’s Supreme Commander in Europe.

He has expressed gratitude on behalf of the US Ambassador in Sofia James Warlick for Borisov’s personal commitment to fighting organized and corruption, and bolstering rule of law in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian PM in turn has promised that his country will remain a reliable ally of the NATO member states.