site.btaPM Zhelyazkov, US Chargé d'Affaires Falatko Discuss Bulgaria-US Strategic Partnership

The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the US was the main topic of discussions between Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States in Sofia Susan Falatko, the government press service said here on Monday.

Zhelyazkov and Falatko discussed the bilateral cooperation, highlighting its particular importance in the energy sector, defence, high-tech, and artificial intelligence.

Cooperation in the energy sector was described as highly productive, significantly contributing to Europe's energy diversification and security. In 2023, for the first time in its fifty-year history, the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (K-NPP) began operations using alternative fuel supplied by the US company Westinghouse. A project is also underway to use alternative fuel from Westinghouse in the construction of the new units 7 and 8 at K-NPP.

The two sides described cooperation in the defence sector as advancing steadily. Discussions included projects to acquire new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and Stryker combat vehicles for Bulgaria’s Land Forces. Zhelyazkov noted that Bulgaria remains among the EU countries allocating the highest share of GDP to defence, with the recent purchase of fighter jets raising defence spending to 3%.

The war in Ukraine and the importance of the United States of America for Europe's security architecture were also a topic of discussion.

Zhelyazkov and Falatko also discussed the significant progress made by Bulgarian institutions toward fulfilling criteria for inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme.