December 17 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - At the NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed interaction in the field of defence.

"Bulgaria will be playing a very constructive role in NATO and the EU," Petkov told a news conference after the meeting. He had invited Stoltenberg to visit Bulgaria. The PM pointed out that the two had discussed the crisis in Ukraine, good-neoighbour relations and infrastructure investments.

"Bulgaria's position on the Ukraine issue is fully aligned with the view of the EU and NATO," the Bulgarian head of government pointed out. Replying to a question, he said that Bulgaria can be useful in the efforts to ease the tensions surrounding Ukraine and would be glad to share in the search of a diplomatic settlement. "I sincerely hope that a diplomatic and peaceful approach to conflict resolution is the best way to make progress," Petkov said.

In his words, Bulgaria sets a major priority on Balkan stability and good-neighbour relations. "Everybody stand to gain from peace in the Black Sea region," the Prime Minister pointed out. He suggested that building a second bridge over the Danube at Rousse is worth considering as an investment in an infrastructure with both civilian and military uses.

Stoltenberg congratulated Petkov on his election as prime minister and thanked Bulgaria for its commitment to the Alliance. He sees the fact that this is Petkov's first visit abroad as an indication of Bulgaria's strong link with NATO.

The Secretary General expressed satisfaction with Bulgaria's decision to purchase new jet fighters and to procure patrol ships and armoured personnel carriers. He welcomed Bulgaria's aspiration to good-neighbour relations and commended the country's participation in the NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo as a contribution to the stability of the Western Balkans.

Stoltenberg noted that NATO must be capable of defending each Ally and that none of the Member States are under a direct threat. "Allies made clear that we are ready for meaningful dialogue with Russia and we reiterate our long-standing invitation to Russia for a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council", he stressed. RY/LG