Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Gabriel talks with US Secretary of State Blinken

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mariya Gabriel, on August 9 held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The Secretary of State expressed support for the new government of the Republic of Bulgaria and congratulated its clear Euro-Atlantic orientation. Mariya Gabriel highlighted the importance of the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the United States. The Deputy Prime Minister also shared the main priorities of the government, highlighting among them Bulgaria's active role in the EU and NATO. The European perspective for the Western Balkans was also highlighted, in compliance with the agreed commitments.

The strategic partnership with the United States as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest was a central theme in the talks. Bulgaria's accession to the US Visa Waiver Programme remains an important priority.

Mariya Gabriel and Antony Blinken agreed on the importance of supporting Ukraine and in this context the importance of the visit of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to Bulgaria was noted by both.

Deepening cooperation with Washington both bilaterally and within NATO is a priority in Bulgaria's foreign policy. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Gabriel thanked Secretary of State Antony Blinken for setting the date for the second session of the Bulgaria-US Strategic Dialogue. The meeting will take place on 25 September in Washington and the Bulgarian delegation will be led by Mariya Gabriel.

The Deputy Prime Minister expects the meeting to outline specific steps to deepen cooperation on topics of common interest, including security and defence, energy diversification, innovation, and the fight against disinformation.