Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan arrived in Bulgaria on December 14 for a two-day visit. Meeting with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva on December 14, Deputy Secretary Sullivan advocated for NATO-interoperable U.S. systems, and emphasized the importance of developing U.S.-Bulgarian commercial ties, fostering stability and economic development of the Western Balkans, and ever-closer cooperation within NATO. On December 15, Deputy Secretary Sullivan discussed topics of bilateral interest with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov, and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Deputy Secretary Sullivan also hosted a lunch with talented Bulgarians who participated in U.S. State Department exchange programs.
