Bulgaria is praised as a source of stability in Southeastern Europe and in the Western Balkans, said Minister of Interior
A Bulgarian delegation lead by the Minister of Interior and consisting also of Deputy minister of Interior Boiko Kotsev, the Secretary General of the Ministry General Iliya Iliev and the Head
of the Nationsl Service 'Security' General Ivan Chobanov met with the Director of the CIA John D. Negroponte in Washington. Bulgaria is praised as a source of stability in Southeastern Europe and
in the Western Balkans, said Minister of Interior after the meeting at which a general analysis of the cooperation between the USA and Bulgaria was made. The Minister Rumen Petkov acquainted the
CIA Director with the new law on the MI and the forthcoming changes within the Ministry.
At the meeting between the Bulgarian delegation and the hosts, the participants discussed issues related to the efficient real-time exchange of information. This is intended to enable the analysis
of the situation in the Balkans, so that terrorist attacks are prevented. We are aware of the possibility for capital of the organised crime to be funneled into various groups, said Rumen Petkov.
Meanwhile, National Intelligence Director National Intelligence John D. Negroponte accepted the invitation of the Interior Minister to visit Bulgaria.During the talks with representatives and
directors of various departments of the Ministry of Justice of the USA were discussed issues on the blocking of property acquired by illegal means, as well as combating human traffic.
The Bulgarian and US experts have discussed the preparation of a law enforcement centre working on specific offences, such as cybercrimes, money laundering and trafficking in persons. The centre
will be of regional significance for the Balkans, and Bulgaria will be responsible for logistics and will ensure the buildings.
The Bulgarian delegation discussed with the hosts the preparation of a new agreement on extradition as the existing document is outdated.
Today Minister Rumen Petkov is meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Anne Patterson. They are expected to sign a protocol to the agreement on cooperation in law enforcement. The Interior
Minister’s schedule includes a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried and Congressman Joe Wilson.
