Minister Stankov: Bulgaria offers vision and readiness to implement projects of global significance
The White House hosted one of the key meetings during the Bulgarian delegation’s working visit to the United States, led by Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov. The conversation with David Copley, Special Advisor in the President’s Administration, and Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Domination Council, focused on the crucial role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies for energy diversification and security in Southeastern Europe.
“Through strategic partnerships and projects, Bulgaria reaffirms its ambition to be a key factor in Southeastern Europe’s energy security,” emphasized Minister Stankov. He informed his hosts about the progress on the large-scale project for new units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, highlighting that the two reactors will be the first in Europe to operate with Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology.
The discussions also covered existing administrative and regulatory challenges in the context of accelerating the development of other major energy projects. The Bulgarian side highlighted the need for consistent support from the United States and emphasized the important role of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) as a key provider of stable, long-term financing for projects such as the construction of the 7th and 8th units of Kozloduy NPP.
The importance of critical minerals for achieving energy independence was another topic of high relevance to both countries. U.S.–Bulgaria cooperation across the entire value chain—exploration, extraction, processing, and refining of rare earth and critical materials—holds tremendous potential.
