Bulgaria

Capital: Sofia
Area: 110,879 sq km
Comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee
Population (July 2011 estimate): 7,093,635
Official language: Bulgarian
State Partner: Tennessee
International Organizations and Agreements: NATO, European Union, United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), World Trade Organization

There are three Bulgarian bases identified as “joint-use facilities” (meaning the U.S. has the right to station troops and conduct training in them) in the U.S.-Bulgarian Defense Cooperation Agreement: Novo Selo Training Area (including the Aytos Storage Facility), Bezmer Air Base, and Graf Ignatievo Air Base.

In 2008, the Bulgarian military made the transition to an all-volunteer force and is currently undergoing an ambitious restructuring program which aims to bring the army up to NATO standards, modernize equipment, and fully integrate civilian and armed components in part with approximately $134 million in foreign military financing assistance from the U.S. since 1994.

Bulgaria deploys troops in support of NATO, EU, and UN missions. It currently has company-sized units working with coalition forces in Afghanistan and has maintained small contingents of troops deployed with international forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Bulgaria's relationship with its neighbors has generally been good. Bulgaria has proven to be a constructive force in the region and has played an important role in promoting regional security.