On January 13, Consul General Svetoslav Stankov met with Brigadier General Mark G. Alessia, Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff.

Both sides re-affirmed excellent bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the USA as strategic partners and allies in NATO.

During the meeting Mr. Stankov and Brigadier General Alessia explored and found specific opportunities for further cooperation between Bulgarian armed and law enforcement forces and the National Guard of Illinois on emergency crisis response, training and interoperability.