Louis Freeh, director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, arrived on a two-day visit to Bulgaria Monday. One of the matters discussed with Prime Minister Ivan Kostov was the possibility of the FBI establishing a permanent office in Sofia, said Freeh.

During a meeting on Tuesday with Kostov, Freeh praised Bulgaria's prompt reaction to the discovery of Russian diplomats who were found to be conducting intelligence activities. The diplomats were given seven days to leave the country or they would have been pronounced persona non grata. That was the right move, which every democratic state should take, Freeh said.

"Bulgaria is a key strategic partner for the U.S., not just in the security area, but in the economic area," Freeh said. "We view Bulgaria as an oasis of stability, and a country that has made great progress in the reforming of its judiciary, and also has enjoyed very consistent success in combating crime - particularly violent crime."

Later, at a meeting with Minister of Interior Affairs Emanouil Yordanov, Freeh expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between Bulgaria and the U.S in preventing drug and weapons smuggling. The FBI director confirmed that the U.S. had asked the Bulgarian investigation services for cooperation in locating printing houses used to counterfeit U.S. dollars.

Freeh complimented Bulgaria on the new relationship it has established with NATO. "I see the deepening cooperation between Bulgaria and NATO as another proof of the importance of your country in the region," Freeh said.

The director also noted that the FBI and the Bulgarian services have cooperated well towards fighting organised crime. Hundreds of Bulgarian officers have trained in the US, he said. A group is training right now in Budapest, where the FBI participates in an international training academy.

This occasion marked the first visit by an FBI director to Bulgaria.