Bulgaria, United States Confirm Their Strategic Partnership

US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Sofia on Thursday to hold talks with President Rosen Plevneliev, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov. The sides discussed energy security and energy diversification, security and defence cooperation, and US visa regulations.

Вulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed their shared view that Bulgaria and the US are strategic partners. They noted that the two nations are willing to invigorate their bilateral cooperation by placing particular emphasis on economic ties, energy security, the rule of law, and security affairs, the President's Press Secretariat reported.

Plevneliev said Bulgaria's public institutions are well aware that improving the capacity of the public administration and reforming the judicial system are the mechanisms which can allow them to regain the confidence of civil society and attract more investment. The President expects 2015 to be "the year of reforms" in Bulgaria as the public institutions address existing problems in the energy sector, the pension system, and health care.