The bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States in the spheres of security and defense has been praised at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Krassimir Karakachanov and Marcus Tommy, Director NATO and European Strategic Affairs to the White House National Security Council. This was the first of Karakachanov's meetings during his working visit to the United States, the Ministry of Defense reported.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of co-operation with the United States at the backdrop of increased security risks in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Middle East. It was pointed out that a key role in deepening the strategic dialogue was played by the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov a year ago. The Deputy Prime Minister also handed Tommy a personal letter from Borissov to Trump.

Minister Karakachanov also met with representatives of the management of Lockheed Martin, in order to discuss the implementation of the contract for the supply of F-16 aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force.