site.btaBulgaria's Defence Minister: Iran's Unprovoked Attacks on Cyprus and Turkiye Cause Serious Concern
Bulgaria's Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told reporters that Iran's unprovoked attacks on Cyprus and Turkiye are causing serious concern. Zapryanov and Greece's National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias made a joint statement after their meeting here on Thursday.
Dendias is on a one-day visit to Sofia at Zapryanov's invitation.
The two ministers discussed regional security and defence challenges and reviewed the plan for bilateral defence cooperation, where the two countries are very active, Zapryanov said.
"I am very grateful to Minister Nikos Dendias that my request for Greece to help strengthen the protection of Bulgaria's airspace received such a swift response," Zapryanov said, also thanking the Greek government.
Since last week, a Greek Patriot air-defence system has been stationed in Northern Greece, providing a missile defence coverage for a large part of Bulgaria's territory. Two F-16 fighter jets have also been reinforcing the protection of Bulgaria's airspace. Greece provided assistance after Bulgaria requested additional missile-defence support on March 4, following a missile launched from Iran towards Turkiye.
Zapryanov said: "We note with serious concern that Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine continues to destabilize the situation in Europe. Through NATO and the EU, as well as on a bilateral basis, we are supporting Ukraine in its struggle for independence." He added: "We also noted that the operation carried out by the United States and Israel in Iran has likewise led to destabilization close to our region."
The meeting also focused on the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) financial instrument. "We found that there is considerable scope for cooperation in innovation and for expanding it into military innovation," Zapryanov commented.
/DS/
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