site.btaBulgaria, US Discuss Strengthening Strategic Partnership, Defence, and Energy Cooperation as US Congressman Fallon Pays Visit

US Congressman Pat Fallon met on Monday with several Bulgarian officials to discuss the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, focusing on security, defence, and energy. The US guest held separate meetings with outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov along with Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov and Deputy Defence Minister Adelina Nikolova, and GERB Party leader Boyko Borissov, who was joined by outgoing Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and outgoing Interior Minister Daniel Mitov.

Meeting with the guest at the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov highlighted Bulgaria’s consistent efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and advance regional stability. He recalled the successful third session of the Bulgaria–US Strategic Dialogue at the end of 2025, noting progress in energy diversification, defence, security, trade, and investment. “We highly value the consistent US support for the modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the acquisition of new capabilities,” Zhelyazkov said. He also emphasized energy cooperation, reaffirming Bulgaria’s commitment to the joint project for Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant using Westinghouse AP1000 technology, stating: “Energy security has never been more important for economic growth, stability, resilience, and prosperity.”

In the meeting with Congressman Fallon, Minister Zapryanov and his team discussed bilateral defence cooperation and current security issues with Congressman Fallon. “Our cooperation in the field of defence remains a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States,” Zapryanov noted, underscoring the importance of joint projects and NATO commitments.

During the guest's meeting with GERB leader Boyko Borissov, discussions focused on deepening cooperation in security, defence, energy, and artificial intelligence. Borissov highlighted Bulgaria’s energy diversification efforts and strategic projects, including the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis and the Kozloduy N-Plan Units 7 and 8. “The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the US is key to the security and stability of our country and the entire region,” Borissov said, adding that both sides reaffirmed their political will to intensify dialogue with the US Congress and further upgrade strategic cooperation.