U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is paying a one-day visit to Bulgaria on Sunday. She held a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, which continued for more than an hour. They discussed bilateral cooperation, situation in North Africa and Middle East and energy security.

Hillary Clinton praised Bulgaria’s transition period, law enforcement sector, taxes, partnership in NATO and Roma integration. Shale gas exploration and production was one of the issues under discussion, but Clinton’s visit will not bring cancelation of the moratorium, until it is proven that the method is safe for the environment.

Hillary Clinton said Bulgaria was making exceptional progress.

Bulgaria’s experience in the transition from communism to democracy, establishment of effective institutions and hard efforts in the past 20 years gives extremely valuable lessons, she said.

I promise the Bulgarian people that the U.S. will always be with you, something we did in the past. We are very impressed by and proud of the exceptional progress your country has made and the strong relations between the Bulgarian and American nations and governments, she added.

Shale gas exploration and production in Bulgaria was under discussion, too. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said the moratorium would remain in force until it is clear that the method is safe for the nature and environment. Clinton pledged cooperation in the energy sector for “affordable prices.”

We will be shoulder to shoulder with the Bulgarian nation and government, when they work to provide energy at affordable prices, which meet your needs. I will send my Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar next week, who will hold talks at an expert level as to how we can help more to preserve your environment and achieve your energy goals, said Hillary Clinton.

The prime minister highlighted that Bulgaria was seeking diversification in any area and that in the energy production sector diversification was achieved through hydroelectric power plants.

As to energy diversification, I told Ms. Clinton that the construction of the Bulgarian-Romanian intersystem gas connection will start in May and the Bulgarian-Greek one – by the end of the year. And I hope that in March when a joint meeting between the Bulgarian and Turkish governments is due in Ankara the agreement about the Bulgarian-Turkish gas connection will be signed, said Boyko Borisov.

According to him the nature and environment are most important to Bulgaria.
Until we convince the society that there is no risk, we cannot move forward; this is the case with nuclear energy, too, he said.

We consider any project pragmatically – whether it protects the nature, environment and what will happen with all this in the next 15 or 20 years, said the prime minister.

U.S. Secretary of State praised Bulgaria’s achievements in the law enforcement sector.

Out excellent cooperation stopped, recognized and is preventing the traffic of nuclear and other radioactive materials. Our joint investigations against drugs seized over USD 3 billion in the form of illegally acquired property. Our law enforcement cooperation resulted in arrests of hackers making international frauds, she said.

Hillary Clinton spoke also about the economic achievements – a wonderful model not only for Europe, but even abroad for countries which are trying to make the transition from dictatorship to democracy.

The lowest unemployment rate, the lowest taxes, an increase in the international investments, including American ones, social and economic development. All this is a wonderful model not only for Europe, but even abroad for countries which are trying to make the transition from an authoritarian government, from dictatorship to democracy and government of the country by the people.

In the past few years Bulgaria has undertaken several steps to fight with corruption, carry out a judicial reform and maintain rule of law for all its citizens. These are very important steps for each democracy and they will help Bulgaria keep on strengthening its democratic institutions, said the U.S. Secretary of State.

The U.S. Secretary of State and Bulgarian Prime Minister condemned the killing of innocent people in Syria. Hillary Clinton expressed disappointment with the veto Russia and China imposed on the UN resolution condemning the violent crackdown in Syria. She noted that the diplomatic pressure would be stepped up together with the partners outside the UN and the countries that backed up the resolution.

Hillary Clinton assured that the U.S. is committed to the Bulgarian security.

I would like to underline the U.S. commitment to the Bulgarian security; we are allies in NATO. Bulgaria is a very important, productive NATO partner, she said.

There will be a series of joint military exercises between Bulgaria and the U.S. this year. We are seeking ways to enhance the military cooperation and make a thorough review of its condition and where it will go in the future. Bulgaria has proved to be a capable partner we feel deep respect for, she said further.

The Bulgarian troops serving in Afghanistan have deserved reputation of professionalism and bravery. I would like to offer my condolences for the death and self-sacrifice of the Bulgarian army, said Clinton.

According to Hillary Clinton the method of e-government – an excellent means for bringing the state closer to the people – is already available.

The President told me that 2,2 million Bulgarians have Facebook accounts. So the method is already available and its use to improve state government is one of the issues we will discuss at the meeting in Brazil this spring, she said.

Hillary Clinton praised the Bulgarian government for its Roma integration initiative. She is to meet representatives of Roma organizations.