Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov met with the newly appointed Ambassador of the United States to Bulgaria, Kenneth Merten. The two discussed the prospect of deepening the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States and emphasized the key importance of bilateral cooperation in the field of security and defence. 

The main topic of discussion was the maintenance of the capabilities of the Bulgarian Air Force and the joint efforts to modernize the Bulgarian army. Bulgaria’s efforts to achieve energy diversification, such as the construction of gas interconnectors, access to liquefied natural gas and securing supplies of fresh nuclear fuel and oil, were highly appreciated. Minister Milkov and Ambassador Merten also discussed cooperation in the field of human rights and the fight against human trafficking. The two also discussed Bulgaria's inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program.