Deputy Foreign Minister Shekerletova: We Believe US Will Not Deviate from Commitments to Collective Defence

Dimitrina Solakova, Nikolay Trifonov

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Elena Shekerletova at a discussion on "The Hague 2025: The Horizon for NATO and the Bulgarian Vision", Sofia, April 25, 2025 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

25.04.2025 12:54

(BTA)

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Elena Shekerletova said here on Friday: "We believe that the USA will not deviate from their commitments to collective defence as well as the application of Article 5 of the Washington Treaty." She was speaking at an discussion on "The Hague 2025: The Horizon for NATO and the Bulgarian Vision", held to present the publication "Living Archives. National Archive of Memories of Bulgaria's NATO Accession Process."

"In view of the global nature of security risks and threats, we expect the allies to reaffirm NATO's primary role as the main guarantor of collective security and the Euro-Atlantic area, as well as the continued constructive engagement of the United States with the security of Europe," Shekerletova said about the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague on June 24 and 25.

The main outcomes of the NATO Summit in The Hague are expected to be related to decisions on strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities, ensuring long-term support for Ukraine, increasing defense spending, and strengthening industrial defense capabilities. Member States are expected to reaffirm their very strong commitment to ensuring that NATO's defence capabilities are developed to the potential and level required for today's challenges, which entails very significant investment. NATO is also expected to reaffirm the strategic assessment of Russia as a major, direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security, Shekerletova explained.

Bulgaria supports Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, the Deputy Minister noted.

Georgi Georgiev, head of the Information Centre at the Ministry of Defence, described Bulgaria's NATO membership as a huge success. "This success must be shown as an example that we can achieve our goals in the short and long term. It is our job to show the good examples of the value of NATO for the Bulgarian army," he said.

/RY/