Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Bulgaria – United States Department of State

Joint Statement by the Governments of the United States of America and Bulgaria

On September 25, 2023, the United States and Bulgaria held the second high-level Strategic Dialogue to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of priority importance for both countries. The Dialogue aligned with the 120th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the United States and Bulgaria, and we marked that milestone together as friends, Allies, and partners. We remain focused on advancing the following priorities:

Common Approaches to Global and Regional Issues

We stand resolutely united in support of Ukraine. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine blatantly violates international law, threatens the rules-based international order, and undermines the stability of Europe, including the security of the Black Sea region. We share the goal of a secure, prosperous, and interconnected Black Sea region that is free from threats to territorial integrity, economic coercion, and malign influence.

Deepening Defense and Security Cooperation

Noting Bulgaria’s strategic position in the region and within NATO, we are growing our defense partnership to improve security in the Balkans and the Black Sea region, including through our joint participation in the multinational NATO battlegroup hosted by Bulgaria. Our robust cooperation enhances NATO interoperability, advances Bulgaria’s defense modernization efforts, and further develops Bulgaria’s defense industrial sector.

Expanding Economic and Energy Cooperation

We noted Bulgaria’s significant progress in diversifying its energy sector and further reducing its dependence on Russian energy resources. We are working together to create a more resilient energy market, expand our civil nuclear cooperation, and accelerate the transition to low-carbon and renewable energy sources. We plan to collaborate on expanding bilateral trade and investment ties by promoting innovation, adopting effective governance of new technologies, and fostering a favorable business environment, and we will consider how to expand our cooperation on emerging technology and space policy. We intend to prioritize the screening of foreign direct investments to ensure national security.

Defending Democracy and Strengthening Rule of Law

Acknowledging the importance of deepening and extending our cooperation on countering foreign disinformation and propaganda, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Countering Foreign Information Manipulation. We are working to achieve tangible and practical results that will help safeguard our democracies by countering the growing threat of foreign malign influence and state-sponsored disinformation. We also underscored our continuing efforts to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring judicial independence, and we intend to continue joint efforts to eradicate the scourge of trafficking in persons.

Broadening Bilateral Ties

We recognized our abiding people-to-people ties and will continue to nurture them through academic, cultural, and professional exchanges. Both sides welcomed Bulgaria’s progress towards inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, and the United States reaffirmed its support of Bulgaria’s ongoing efforts to fulfill the legal requirements for admission into the program.

The Strategic Dialogue was convened by the Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Derek H. Chollet and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Mariya Gabriel, and included high-level representatives from both governments.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are:

– SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

– SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

– SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

– Target 16.1: Reduce all forms of violence and related death rates

– Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

– Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime

– Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

– Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

– Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

– Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 percent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

– Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:

– Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age

– Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism

– Indicator 16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars)

– Indicator 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists, and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months

– Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

– Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP

– Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita

– Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by collecting relevant data and analyzing it to assess the level of achievement.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators