The future US ambassador to Bulgaria, James Warlick, has addressed the US senate committee on foreign relations, the committee due to approve Warlick's official nomination.

Warlick, a senior member of the foreign service, has been the principal deputy assistant secretary of state in the bureau of international organisation affairs since April 2006, with responsibility for US foreign policy at the United Nations and a number of other multilateral organisations.

Prior to that, Warlick was director of the office of European security and political affairs, responsible for political-military and security issues for Europe and the former Soviet Union, including Nato, OSCE, and related arms control and nonproliferation policy issues (2005-2006).

Warlick served as principal adviser to Paul Bremer, the former head of the US provisional authority in Iraq, from January 2004 to July 2004.

Warlick is a graduate of Stanford University, holds a Master of Letters in politics from Wadham College, Oxford University, and a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The following is the unabridged text of Warlick's address to the senate confirmation hearings on November 18:

"I am privileged to appear before you today as the president’s nominee to be the next American ambassador to Bulgaria. I am honoured by the confidence expressed by president Obama and [state] secretary Clinton through this nomination. If confirmed, I pledge to work closely with this committee and other members of congress to advance our nation’s interests in Bulgaria and in the region.

I am pleased that my wife, Mary, a career foreign service officer nominated by the president to serve as ambassador to Serbia, is on the same panel. She, along with our three children – Jamie, Jason, and Jordan – have provided support as we have served around the world to advance our country’s interests. I am also pleased that my mother, Rose Warlick, could join us today.

For more than two decades, I have served as a career diplomat in the department of state. Overseas, I have had assignments in Europe, South and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, including Iraq. Domestically, I have been responsible for US policy at the United Nations and other multilateral organisations and for political-military and security issues for Europe and the former Soviet Union. These experiences have prepared me for the challenges and responsibilities as chief of mission at embassy Sofia.

Bulgaria is a close partner in the international community as a Nato ally since March 2004 and a member of the European Union since January 2007. Bulgarian troops fought beside us in Iraq and are with us today in Afghanistan, where close to 500 soldiers are part of the Nato force. Bulgaria is a source of peace and stability in the region and has contributed peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Kosovo.

US-Bulgarian co-operation is deep and our relations are excellent. US military units train in Bulgaria with Bulgarian troops. Bulgaria has accomplished economic, local governance, and institutional reforms. US companies have participated in Bulgaria’s economic upswing with the United States being the only non-European country ranked among Bulgaria’s top 10 investors.

If confirmed, I will continue to build a relationship based on mutual respect and a deep friendship between the people of Bulgaria and the United States. I will listen to Bulgarian concerns and be an advocate for America and our values. I will work to:

-- Deepen co-operation with Bulgaria on international peace and security, especially on overseas military operations; and assist in Bulgaria’s military modernisation;

-- Promote energy security through transparency, diversification of supplies, and energy efficiency;

-- Support Bulgaria’s efforts to promote the rule of law and implement legal and judicial reforms to combat corruption and organised crime;

-- Expand bilateral trade and economic relations, helping US businesses to find investment and marketing opportunities and encouraging Bulgaria to strengthen and improve its business climate; and,

-- Develop deeper ties of co-operation through people-to-people programmes that highlight the strengths of our two societies.

Madam chair and members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity to appear before you. I would be pleased to answer any questions that you may have."