Washington: Bulgarian Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov led a delegation to the United States for a pivotal meeting at the White House, focusing on energy diversification and security in Southeastern Europe. During the discussions, Stankov met with David Copley, Special Advisor in the President’s Administration, and Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Domination Council, to deliberate on the role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.
According to Trend News Agency, the Bulgarian delegation emphasized the significance of strategic partnerships and projects in bolstering energy security in the region. Minister Stankov highlighted the advancements at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, where plans are underway to incorporate two new reactors using Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology, marking a European first.
The talks also covered the administrative and regulatory challenges hindering the progress of significant energy projects. Bulgaria stressed the necessity of sustained U.S. support, particularly through the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), to secure long-term financing for the additional units at Kozloduy.
Another key topic of the discussions was the strategic importance of critical minerals for energy independence. Both countries acknowledged the potential of U.S.-Bulgaria cooperation across the entire value chain, from exploration and extraction to processing and refining of rare earth and critical materials.