site.btaPM Radev: Bulgaria Prioritizes Defence Capabilities, Calls for NATO Unity

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who is leading the Bulgarian delegation at the NATO summit in Ankara, said before the start of the meeting that Bulgaria is focusing its efforts on building its own defence capabilities, and global challenges require the Alliance to be united.

"Today's summit in Ankara is taking place at a time of profound transformation of the Alliance, which reflects the need and ambition of European member states to strengthen their contribution to common defence capabilities, because the conflicts in the neighborhood, especially the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, clearly show European countries that ensuring the security of their citizens is an irrevocable responsibility and requires systematic efforts," said Radev. He said that by strengthening Bulgaria's national defence capacity, the country has become an important factor of stability in the Black Sea region for the Alliance.

In the context of the allies' decision to increase NATO countries' defence spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Bulgarian Prime Minister commented on what this means for Bulgaria.

"Achieving NATO's goal of 5% of GDP for defence means for us the development not only of classic defence capabilities, but also investments in infrastructure, digital security, connectivity and cybersecurity. It is very important that the Defence Industries Forum is also being held here today, because this provides an opportunity to overcome the fragmentation in the European defence industry," said Radev.

Regarding Bulgaria's financial support for Ukraine, he stated that it must reflect Bulgaria's capabilities without affecting social spending.

"A number of Bulgarian governments have systematically and comprehensively supported Ukraine - with financial, medical, humanitarian and military support, but all Bulgarian politicians who promised the most financial support for Ukraine have done very little to develop our economy and provide funds in our budget, so Bulgaria will financially support Ukraine within its capabilities, without affecting social spending," said Radev, adding that "the large deficit that previous administrations bequeathed to us must be taken into account."

The Prime Minister also commented on the unity in the Alliance against the background of the situation facing global security. As a main goal, he indicated the implementation of policies that would prevent an increase in tensions in Ukraine, Greenland, and the Middle East.

The leaders of the NATO countries are meeting on Wednesday to discuss the state of the defence alliance. Some 32 state leaders and over 100 ministers are gathered in Ankara.

Bulgaria is represented at the meeting by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who leads a delegation including Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov.