Bulgaria’s NATO accession is a key moment for the shaping of the country’s role in international affairs, one of the founders of the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria Solomon Passi said.

Passi told Focus news agency that Bulgaria already has its position within the alliance and will set an example for countries that are to join NATO in the future.

Some of the countries include the ones located in the Western Balkans and in the Caucasian Region, like Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine, Passi said.

Through its NATO membership Bulgaria made an investment in its own security, Passi said. This investment also has direct economic and financial consequences.

NATO membership was also a step towards Bulgaria’s EU accession, Passi said.

The Atlantic Club was formed by a small group of politicians who saw NATO membership as a major step towards the goal of EU entry, Passi said.