SOFIA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Government approved a draft agreement between Bulgaria and the United States on cooperation in the prevention of the proliferation of weapons for mass destruction (WMD), the Government Information Service said on Thursday.

    The purpose of the agreement is to promote cooperation between the two countries in combating the proliferation of WMD and the related technologies, materials and experience to and from the territory of Bulgaria, and prevent the illegal transfer, including through transiting and transportation, of nuclear, biological chemical and radiological weapons and the related technologies and experience. The agreement will be signed for a term of six years.

    The Government also approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Interior Ministry and the U.S. Department of Energy on cooperation in the prevention of illegal trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials.

    Technical assistance under the form of equipment, materials, training and services, appliances for the detection of special nuclear materials and other radioactive materials will be provided free of charge based on this document.

    The signing of the two documents will create a legal framework for Bulgaria's inclusion in the Second Line of Defense program of the U.S. Department of Energy, according to local press.