U.S. and Bulgarian officials attended the 23rd meeting of the U.S.-Bulgaria Joint Commission by videoconference on Dec. 1. 

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Edward Vaughan, U.S. European Command plans, policy, strategy and capabilities directorate deputy director, and Lt. Gen. Tsanko Stoykov, the Bulgarian deputy chief of defense, co-chaired the event and led discussions about cooperation in all areas of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and Bulgaria and progress in its implementation. Discussion topics included facility infrastructure development, Bulgarian armed forces C2 systems, and planning and participation in upcoming trainings and exercises. 

Vaughan expressed that U.S. European Command and its forces are committed to defense cooperation with Bulgaria and will continue to build readiness together along with mutual NATO Allies.

“The Bulgarian armed forces are a strategic frontline Ally on the Black Sea. Their work in establishing a NATO battle group is enabling deterrence on the eastern flank,” Vaughan said. "We look forward to conducting our next meeting in person in Stuttgart in 2023."

U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit www.eucom.mil.