Looking Beyond the First Century of Diplomatic Relations

In celebration of 100 years of U.S.-Bulgarian diplomatic relations, the CSIS East Europe and Europe programs hosted a senior delegation from Bulgaria on October 17, including Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament Ognyan Gerdjikov, Deputy Speaker Kamelia Kassabova, and representatives of Bulgaria's four major political parties. The roundtable discussion focused on Bulgaria's role in the international effort to combat terrorism and its status as a pending NATO member, as well as judicial reform, Bulgaria's EU accession, energy policy and regional stability in the Balkans. Speaker Gerdjikov presented CSIS Europe Program Director Simon Serfaty and Eastern Europe Project Director Janusz Bugajski with medals, in honor of their contribution to the strengthening of US-Bulgarian relations.