site.btaArmed Forces Modernization and Infrastructure Improvement Top New Defence Minister's List of Priorities

Care for defence personnel, modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the improvement of infrastructure will be the main priorities in the work of the new Minister of Defence, Dimitar Stoyanov, his ministry reported on Friday.

Taking over from Atanas Zapryanov, who held the post in the outgoing caretaker government, Stoyanov stated: "I hope that together with the military leadership we will continue what has been started and, by the end of the government's term in office, we will be able to report successes related to the staffing of military formations with personnel, new equipment and appropriate infrastructure."

Stoyanov added: "We have a governance and legislative programme under which we will begin work without delay. We will propose amendments to the Defence and Armed Forces Act, and to the Reserve of the Armed Forces Act," Stoyanov added.

Zapryanov highlighted the efforts made during the caretaker government to increase military capabilities, address personnel shortages and upgrade the Armed Forces. Wishing Stoyanov a successful term, the outgoing caretaker minister traditionally presented him with an icon of Saint George.