site.bta Bulgaria, Italy Sign Cooperation Agreement on Joint Use of Military Facilities in SE Bulgaria

Outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto signed an agreement between the two countries' governments on cooperation regarding the joint construction and use of military facilities in the Kabile military district (Southeastern Bulgaria). The signing took place at the 22nd Air Base in Bezmer on Tuesday during Minister Crosetto's working visit to Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence reported.

The defence ministers of Bulgaria and Italy discussed the development of bilateral defence cooperation, characterized by consistency and a mutual commitment to implementing NATO's deterrence and defence measures. "We highly appreciate Italy's active participation in NATO's Multinational Battlegroup in Bulgaria, and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate in the interest of the security of the Alliance's member states by contributing to collective defence," said the outgoing Defence Minister.

The two ministers noted that the signed agreement marks the beginning of construction of the joint facilities in the Kabile military area. Additional technical arrangements and annexes are to be developed for its full implementation.