Energy security was the central topic of the conversation between Ambassador Georgi Panayotov and Julie Johnson, a member of the U.S. Congress representing the state of Texas.
Texas has the second-largest economy among all U.S. states, with a gross domestic product exceeding $2.7 trillion, surpassing the GDP of Canada, South Korea, Australia, and Russia. The state is the largest energy producer in the U.S., with annual oil and gas exports amounting to $140 billion. Julie Johnson is a member of both House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Homeland Security Committee.
Ambassador Panayotov briefed Congresswoman Johnson on the energy projects currently underway in Bulgaria, which will ensure energy security not only for the country but also for the region and Europe. Julie Johnson expressed her willingness to support the further development of Bulgarian-American relations, particularly in the field of economy, and showed interest in visiting Bulgaria.