On September 3 2008, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin received the newly appointed US ambassador to Bulgaria Nancy McEldowney at the Foreign Ministry. The two expressed their mutual content with the excellent bilateral relations of strategic partnership in key areas such as  political, economic and military, the press service of the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

They voiced their desire for a further intensification of ally ties in the framework of Nato, for an increase in US investments in Bulgaria and for expanding the trade between the two countries.  They also discussed the opportunities to accelerate the visa waiver process for Bulgarian citizens travelling to the United States.

McEldowney noted Bulgaria's great progress in the socio-economic field over the past few years, while Kalfin said that Bulgaria highly appreciated the US' support in the fight against corruption and always relied on it for an honest and unbiased appraisal of Bulgaria's achievements in this area.

The two discussed some current issues of importance to international security, both global and regional. The US ambassador stressed Bulgaria's important role in sustaining regional stability and stimulating the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the western Balkans.

McEldowney also observed Bulgaria's contribution to the recovery of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The two officials discussed the situation in Georgia and the possibilities for logistics support on the part of Bulgaria in providing humanitarian aid to the Caucasus country.