Bulgaria’s President and Prime Minister met with US Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt

Improving energy connectivity in South East Europe is key to tackling the economic and social crisis, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev said on October 13 at a meeting today with Geoffrey R. Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources.

"It is necessary for the countries of the region to unite their efforts for faster implementation of the joint projects for the expansion of oil, gas and electricity transmission infrastructure so as to prevent energy resource shortages, inflation and deepening of the economic crisis," Rumen Radev said.

During the meeting the prospects for deepening the cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the development and application of new technologies in the field of energy and building a green economy were also discussed.

Bulgaria’s caretaker Prime Minister, Galab Donev,also met with Geoffrey R. Pyatt at the Council of Ministers. The serious results of this country in diversifying the sources and routes of gas supplies were noted during the meeting.

Donev was adamant that Bulgaria seeks to use all opportunities for energy diversification and highlighted the efforts of the caretaker cabinet to ensure gas supplies at low prices not only for Bulgarian citizens and businesses, but also for the region in the coming winter months.

Geoffrey Pyatt's visit to Bulgaria is part of a regional tour that also includes Turkey and Romania.