Head of State receives Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia at the US Department of State

The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States creates many opportunities for achieving concrete results in the areas of investment, energy, and defence through joint projects that will benefit both countries. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a meeting with Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia at the US Department of State. The talk took place at the presidential institution during Christopher Smith's visit to Bulgaria to participate in the third session of the Strategic Dialogue between Bulgaria and the United States in Sofia on 9 December 2025.

Rumen Radev and Christopher Smith shared the view that ensuring security and stability in the region is key to stimulating investment exchange, economic development, and prosperity for citizens. The Bulgarian head of state pointed out that maintaining the sustainable positive dynamics in the partnership with the US is a priority for our country. Bulgaria's strategic geographical location is a key factor for expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity, Radev said, adding that these areas create opportunities for joint projects with the participation of the US.

In the field of energy, the President pointed out that in the context of the EU's stated intention to gradually phase out Russian gas imports, there are prospects for increasing supplies of liquefied natural gas from the US and other countries through terminals in Greece and Turkiye, to which our country has access. The President stated that this would contribute to strengthening energy diversification not only in our country but also in other countries in the region. The increasing demand for energy resources is also a prerequisite for joint requests for supplies to reduce natural gas prices, the head of state added.

The strategic partnership on the modernisation of the Bulgarian army should be developed on the principle of deepening industrial cooperation with the US, in which the Bulgarian defence industry should also be actively involved, Radev said during the meeting. The president also noted the importance of bilateral partnership in the field of defence for the modernisation of military training models.

The head of state expressed his expectation for increased US investment in the field of information and communication technologies, as well as artificial intelligence, in which Bulgaria has established itself as a factor in the region thanks to its well-trained and highly qualified specialists.