site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov Takes Part in EU Talks on Drone Wall Initiative

Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov took part in informal consultations on the initiative to strengthen the European Union’s eastern borders and establish a drone defence wall, proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Defence Ministry said in a press release on Friday. The meeting was convened by Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and attended by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, the defence ministers of the EU’s eastern flank countries and Ukraine, as well as a NATO representative.

The event focused on the possible parameters of the new initiative and potential funding sources. The ministers agreed that building robust counter-drone capabilities must be pursued in close coordination with NATO, based on a unified concept and through the adoption of modern technological solutions.

Minister Zapryanov, along with his counterparts, stressed the importance of securing non-repayable EU funding for the project. In his statement, he also highlighted the need to develop critical capabilities for ensuring security in the Black Sea, as part of the EU’s eastern borders.

The consultations, held via videoconference, aimed to prepare the ground for discussions at the upcoming European Council and Foreign Affairs/Defence Council meetings in October.

Earlier on Friday, Zapryanov also attended a working meeting at the Defence Ministry, where Bulgarian defence industry companies discussed opportunities to take part in projects for which the country will seek financial support through loans under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) and the European Defence Industrial Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA).