Bulgaria is holding informal talks with the United States on hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield on its soil, the U.S. ambassador to the East European country said Friday.

James Warlick indicated during his lecture at the Atlantic Club in Sofia that discussions were in the very early stages and that so far the United States was only prepared to hold consultations with the Bulgarian government, according to the BTA news agency.

Warlick also said America would not want to make Bulgaria choose between Washington and Moscow, and that both the United States and Bulgaria would like to see a prosperous Russia as a friendly partner.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said earlier in the day a final decision was yet to be taken.

"We are waiting for reaction from the European Commission and the Bulgarian parliament," he told reporters.

MOSCOW, February 12 (RIA Novosti)