High-level meetings in Washington
During his working visit to the US, Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev held key meetings with representatives of the State Department and the Department of Justice. The main focus of the discussions was strengthening international cooperation in the field of security.
"The US provides many programs for its partners, which include financial aid, training, and joint operations. We expressed our desire to participate more actively in them," stated Minister Demerdzhiev.
Combating the circumvention of "Magnitsky" sanctions
One of the main topics in the talks with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) was countering individuals and entities that circumvent sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act. The Minister emphasized that the possibility of initiating federal prosecution against these practices is being discussed.
Key priorities for Bulgaria:
- Joining the US Visa Waiver Program.
- Protecting the EU's external borders and combating illegal migration.
- Cooperation in financial investigations and cybercrime.
- Combating the counterfeiting of payment instruments and the trafficking of cultural property.
Bulgaria reaffirmed its readiness to deepen its partnership with the US, focusing on complex cross-border cases that lead to real institutional results.