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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev on an official trip to Sofia Sunday. Photo by EPA/BGNES
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is on an official trip to Sofia Sunday, has met Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev.
Details from the meeting have not emerged, as Clinton has already entered another meeting, with PM Boyko Borisov and cabinet ministers.
A press-conference of Clinton and Borisov is scheduled after the meeting.
Among the items on the agenda are latest top security issues, including the nuclear program in Iran and escalating violence in Syria.
Matters in the military cooperation between the US and Bulgaria will also be discussed, both within the framework of NATO and bilaterally.
Bulgarian media have speculated that among the questions discussed is whether Bulgaria will allow one of the US military bases in the country to be used for a potential strike against Iran, after Turkey has refused to do the same.
Other matters of discussion relate to energy security, where Clinton is likely to press for the development of shale gas in Bulgaria, for which US energy company Chevron has an interest.
Chevron already had a shale gas exploration permit, but in mid-January the Bulgarian Parliament voted on a moratorium on shale gas exploration and production in the country due to environmental fears raised by citizens.
The Bulgarian diplomacy is also likely to raise the issue of a visa-free regime with the US, though it has said that a significant progress is not very likely.
Bulgaria has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing Iranian attacks against neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf and the broader Middle East, describing them as unprovoked and indiscriminate
Ten Bulgarian diplomats stationed in Iran have been safely evacuated to Azerbaijan, crossing the border via the Astara state checkpoint
Israel’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, Yosi Levi Sfari, described Iran as a persistent threat, warning that the country has openly declared intentions to destroy Israel, either through nuclear weapons or by employing proxy groups such as Hezbollah
Just a day before Bulgaria’s national holiday on March 3, Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova made a striking appearance on Shipka Peak, using the occasion to openly criticize the caretaker government.
Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky has said Bulgaria is awaiting the opening of humanitarian corridors in the Middle East and stands ready to evacuate its citizens by air if conditions allow
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar praised Bulgaria’s proactive role in promoting peace and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip during a phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski.
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