Ambassador: US Election Won't Affect Bulgarians Visa Regime

US Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Marcie Ries. Photo by US Embassy

The issue with lifting the US visa regime for Bulgarians does not depend on the outcome of the November 6 presidential election, according to the US Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Marcie Ries.

Ries spoke Tuesday in an interview for the Bulgarian National Television, BNT, explaining the visa regime is determined by the Congress and its conditions are not set by the White House since this is not a political matter.

The Ambassador stressed that there is consistency in the relations between Bulgaria and the US in the frame of their NATO partnership and Bulgaria's EU membership.

She explained the results won't be known in Bulgaria until the wee hours Wednesday.

Ries further noted it was difficult to say at the moment if storm Sandy, with the fatalities and the wide-spread damage it caused on the East Coast, would have a strong influence in the outcome of the vote.

According to her, American voters are focusing on the economy and home affairs, with rivals, incumbent President, Democrat Barack Obama, and challenger, Republican Mitt Romney, running on quite different platforms.

Voting is underway now in all US States and the first polls are expected to close at 2 am Bulgarian time.

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