site.btaContinue the Change Co-leaders Visit US to Attend Donald Trump's Inauguration Ceremony

Continue the Change co-leaders Kiril Petkov and Assen Vassilev are currently in the United States to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, the party's press service said on Monday.

"I have been in the US for the last few days, invited to attend the ceremony where Trump will be sworn in as the next US president," Kiril Petkov wrote on Facebook. "Meetings in various formats are scheduled before and after the event, providing opportunities to discuss important topics with guests, including members of Congress, future members of Trump’s cabinet, and state governors," he added.

Petkov said that they had conferred with many of the guests, with discussions centering on the US’s vision for the next four years and its relationship with Europe. "Trump's return to the White House should serve as a catalyst for European defence efforts. Unity within the EU will be crucial to achieving that," he added.

"I also addressed key issues directly impacting Bulgaria. Yesterday, for instance, a member of the new administration said that they intend to tighten the application of the Magnitsky Act rather than loosen it," Petkov said. In his words, "stricter enforcement of these sanctions, which incur no cost to the US taxpayer, could yield more effective results".

Another key topic was Bulgaria’s potential to increase revenues from the transmission of Russian gas through a bill that Continue the Change tabled in Parliament last Friday, Petkov said. "Bulgaria could generate billions in additional annual revenue, which could be invested in hospitals, schools, and pensions, all without burdening Bulgarian taxpayers," he noted. "US liquefied natural gas supplies would be more competitive on the European market, aligning with Trump's energy policy. The new US administration will help reduce Gazprom's supplies to Europe," he said.

Petkov noted that Bulgaria was praised by US partners for achieving the target of investing 2% of its GDP in defence capabilities. "This was made possible by the efforts of the two regular governments in which Continue the Change took part. It is important for us that Bulgaria has well-equipped armed forces," he wrote.

In his words, the initial signals from the new US administration indicate that it would adopt a practical approach to issues of mutual interest.