But I want Bulgaria to go even further. Partnership for Peace offers far more opportunities for cooperation than we are currently entertaining. Partnership is a two-way street. Bulgaria will gain by increasing its interoperability with NATO and by getting new impetus for its defence reform. NATO, in turn, will gain by having an even stronger Partner to help manage common security challenges together.
Partnership is thus a win-win proposition.
This is why NATO has continued its commitment to the enlargement process. The Alliance has always had its door open to new members, and last year, three nations walked through it. Others will follow. Under the Action Plan, aspiring members submit individual annual national programmes on their preparations for possible future membership. The programmes cover political, economic, defence, resource, security and legal aspects.