U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad visited Bulgaria July 29-30. He and U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria Herro Mustafa held meetings with Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, and Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov.
Ambassador Khalilzad thanked Bulgaria for its ongoing contribution to the NATO mission in Afghanistan and provided both Ministers with an update on the peace process.
Ambassador Khalilzad and Foreign Minister Zakharieva discussed the critical importance of the full inclusion of women in intra-Afghan negotiations and the preservation and advancement of the rights of women and children for a durable peace.
In his meeting with Minister Karakachanov, Ambassador Khalilzad noted Bulgaria’s steadfast commitment to Afghanistan alongside the United States for over 18 years. Ambassador Khalilzad affirmed that as NATO allies, “we came to Afghanistan together, will adjust our presence together, and will leave together.”
