Bulgaria's participation in NATO was given a high assessment by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

"2012 will be an important year for NATO and Bulgaria may play an important part in the process," Rasmussen said after a Thursday meeting with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev in Brussels.

"The fact that you chose to visit the NATO headquarters so soon after your inauguration is a clear sign of your attitude towards our organization", he told Plevneliev.

"Bulgaria is an important member of NATO and is crucial for security in Southeast Europe. Apart from that, the country provided valuable help for our missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo and for protecting civilians in Libya," Rasmussen said.

He further emphasized Bulgaria's contribution to the discussion of optimization measures at the organization.

Rasmussen made it clear that Bulgaria was helping NATO achieve its goals by participating in the provision of heavy lift aircraft and on-the-ground intelligence.

The NATO Secretary General said that he had thanked President Plevneliev for Bulgaria's contribution to the mission in Afghanistan and that he had not called for an increased participation in ISAF.

Rasmussen concluded by reiterating NATO's appreciation for Bulgaria's firm commitment to the Alliance.

President Plevneliev, in his turn, pointed out that he was meeting the Secretary General of NATO in his first week in office as head of state and on the birth date of NATO's Secretary General.

The Bulgarian President stated that this was a clear indication of the country's active stance and orientation.

Plevneliev emphasized that Bulgaria was proud of its participation in NATO missions, which were successful because of the mutual trust, good partnership and good communication.

Bulgaria's new head of state said that the country was willing to be a good and reliable partner of NATO on a regional level.

He announced that Bulgaria wished to contribute to the conversion of the region from one known for tensions and divisions to a region of peace, stability and prosperity.

Plevneliev also noted that Bulgaria was willing to participate actively in decision making at the forthcoming NATO summit in Chicago in May.

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