Bulgaria's inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme was discussed at a meeting today between Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov and US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten. "Bulgaria's inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme is of the utmost importance and will demonstrate the strategic nature of the relations between our two countries," Kondov said. He noted that an information campaign would be launched by the end of the year to raise public awareness of the programme and explain the conditions and process for applying for a visa to the US. 

The aim is to reduce the refusal rate, a necessary criterion for lifting the visa requirement. Ambassador Merten confirmed the Embassy's willingness to continue to facilitate Bulgaria's efforts to join the programme.

In the course of the conversation, Kondov also raised the issue of concluding a social security agreement between Bulgaria and the US, which would be in the interest of Bulgarian citizens working or living in the US. Co-operation with the US to counter foreign manipulation of information was also discussed.