site.btaUPDATED PM Denkov: "Bulgaria Needs to Catch Up on Defence Capabilities Lag"

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov conferred with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels on June 29.

"We need to make efforts so as to catch up on a certain lag in our defence capabilities," the Bulgarian head of government told a joint news conference with the Secretary General after their bilateral meeting. 

"By this visit I would like to reconfirm our full-fledged NATO membership with all the obligations it entails. I realize that the times are difficult, which is why there are only two ways to be safe: enhancing our capabilities in terms of personnel, training, infrastructure and materiel, being entirely integrated into NATO's structures, and fulfilling all our obligations and, on the other hand, relying on the support of the rest of the Allies, in keeping with the rules of the Alliance," he added. 

"We count on your support," he said, addressing Stoltenberg. "The Eastern flank has  been gaining importance over the last year. We must work together to strengthen it further," the PM pointed out.

Replying to a question, he said that the best defence, including for Bulgaria, is to curb the threats of the Russian invasion into Ukraine by aiding Kyiv. He specified that Bulgaria is budgeting defence spending at a little under 1.9% of GDP for 2023, 2% are planned for 2024, and over 2% for 2025. In his words, the country is striving to increase these expenditures additionally according to the expected decision of the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July.

"We face the most challenging security environment in decades," Stoltenberg said for his part. "And Bulgaria is on the front line of some of the gravest challenges we face. Your country plays an important role in our collective response. Since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Bulgaria has participated actively in NATO's deterrence and defence in the Black Sea region. You host one of NATO's multinational battlegroups, led by Italy. And your naval forces help to secure the Black Sea, as part of NATO patrols," the Secretary General said.

"In the Western Balkans, Bulgarian troops play a key role in our KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, which is even more important at times of high tension. Your forces also contribute to building more sustainable and effective forces in Iraq, as part of NATO's mission there," Stoltenberg said.

"All of these contributions to the Alliance are valued and appreciated. To keep Bulgaria safe, NATO continues to provide strong deterrence and defence in your region. On land, at sea, and in the air. NATO will continue to support and defend Bulgaria," the Secretary General stressed, thanking Bulgaria for providing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. "This helps the Ukrainians to uphold their right to self-defence, as enshrined in the UN Charter," he said.

He pointed out that NATO has enhanced its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, doubling the battalions and increasing their size, including an augmentation of the presence in Bulgaria. The need of more forces at a heightened alert status will continue to be assessed whenever and wherever necessary, Stoltenberg added.