A large part of the U.S. Senate is supportive of NATO enlargement and willing to back Bulgaria's membership bid as they recognize the country's achievements, said Senator Richard Lugar during his visit last weekend.

A member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lugar came to Bulgaria for a two-day visit on the invitation of President Petar Stoyanov. After a meeting with his guest on Saturday, Stoyanov said he was optimistic about Bulgaria's candidacy and chances for NATO membership. The country, however, must stick to the course of reforms in the army and the defence industry, said the senator, who added that in order for the U.S. Senate to come up with an official position on the matter, a two-thirds majority must support the candidacy.

After their meeting, Stoyanov said that the whole conversation was about NATO - its enlargement, the place of the former communist countries in it, as well as Bulgaria's accomplishments in recent years. The president noted that the opportunities that a NATO membership would give to Bulgaria would be not only better defence but also security, more investment and, in the long run, a better life for all Bulgarians.

Bulgaria's aspirations to join NATO also topped the agenda of Lugar's talks with Foreign Minister Solomon Passi, Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov, and the chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence, Stanimir Ilchev. Ilchev assured the senator that there was continuity and constructivism on the side of Parliament with regard to the key aspects of Bulgarian preparation for NATO membership.

Lugar extended U.S. assistance to Bulgaria in the process of social adaptation of career military personnel who have been made redundant.

After his first trip to the country, Lugar said he was impressed by Bulgaria's resolute desire to join NATO.