CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT JOE

UNCLAS SOFIA 000733 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O AND EUR/CE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP BU SUBJECT: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT JOE BIDEN FROM DR. SOLOMON PASSY, MEMBER OF BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT REF: STATE 118192 ¶1. Dr. Solomon Passy, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament, sent a congratulatory letter to Vice President-elect Joe Biden. The signed original will be sent via diplomatic pouch. ¶2. Begin text: Dear Mr. Vice-President-elect: Please accept my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your impressive election as Vice-President of the USA. During this campaign Senator Obama and you accumulated enormous domestic, international and financial support. This is a clear proof that new and brave solutions are expected in the world affairs -- for a stronger America, with a stronger Europe in a much stronger trans-Atlantic community, leading the world to better (sic). In this process of expected global reforms, I am sure, our part of the world -- the Balkans and the Black Sea / Caucasus region may offer a valuable input and Bulgaria is prepared to do so. Dear Joe: Bulgaria will never forget your leadership during the ratification in the US Senate of the accession to NATO of 7 new members, whose culmination was on May 8, 2003. I still remember your words during the lunch on that day when you told me this was the beginning of a new era in international relations. Your election for Vice-President was a new proof of these words of yours. Therefore we look forward to welcome you in Bulgaria at some early stage of your first mandate, as a sign of strong friendship as well as mutual military, economic and political support with both Bulgaria and the EU. I wish you every success in your future endeavours, for the prosperity of your country and the world. Warmest regards, Dr. Solomon Passy MP Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee of Bulgarian Parliament Chairman, US Caucus in Bulgarian Parliament Honorary President, The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2005) End text. McEldowney