Talks over the positioning of foreign military bases on Bulgarian territory will be concluded during the visit of the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to Bulgaria, Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov said.

Rice will visit the country in April for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

Bliznakov met US ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle on Monday. The two discussed joint military installations in Bulgaria and modernisation of the Bulgarian army, the Bulgarian news agency reported.

Bulgaria and the US have a successful business and military partnership, Bliznakov said. Beyrle received more information on Bulgarian plans for further participation in Iraq peacekeeping operations.

As a part of the new mission 120 Bulgarian soldiers and aiding staff will be sent to Iraq to guarantee the security of Ashraf refugee camp. Bliznakov said earlier the new operation would be much safer than Bulgaria's previous military participation in Diwania.