Minister Daniel Mitov held meetings with US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Trade Representative Michael Froman
22 July 2016 News
Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Mitov and US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz welcomed the energy and energy security cooperation between the two countries. The meeting took place on 21 July and marked the start of the Bulgarian Foreign Minister's working visit to Washington. Minister Mitov welcomed the US' consistent support for key projects for the diversification of sources and routes for the supply of energy resources in Bulgaria and the region. The Bulgarian Minister and the US Secretary of Energy also discussed the progress in the construction of natural gas interconnectors with neighbouring countries. An emphasis was placed on the facility with Greece and the Bulgarian Government's plans to participate in the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupolis. Minister Mitov outlined the measures for the liberalization of the energy market in Bulgaria, the modernization of the infrastructure, expanding the natural gas storage facility in Chiren, as well as the plans to build a natural gas distribution centre.
The US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz declared a commitment to deepen cooperation with Bulgaria and continue with the joint efforts for diversification of energy sources and routes.
Minister Mitov conferred with US Trade Representative Michael Froman, with whom he discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation and the opportunities to enhance commercial exchange and investment cooperation. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement negotiations were also a subject of discussion. The US chief negotiator Ambassador Froman and Minister Mitov expressed hope that the TTIP talks and negotiations will be concluded soon. Both sides agreed that a mutually beneficial agreement would foster opportunities for economic growth and is of exceptional importance in light of the UK's EU membership referendum results, as well as the overall geopolitical situation in the world. Signing the TTIP will send a strong signal of the unity and sustainability of the transatlantic bond in all of its shapes and forms, including trade, economic and political cooperation, as well as security, both agreed.
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