site.btaPresident Radev: Germany Is Our Most Important Strategic Ally in NATO and EU

Speaking at the opening of the German-Bulgarian Defence Day forum in Sofia on Tuesday, President Rumen Radev said that Germany is Bulgaria’s most important and strategic ally and partner in NATO and the European Union.

“For decades, we have enjoyed excellent and active bilateral relations at all political levels, as well as excellent relations in all areas of mutual interest: economy, trade, investments, culture, education, tourism. Germany is a leading investor in Bulgaria and the number one trading partner,” the head of State said.

“Europe faces growing threats. Conflicts are expanding around us. Russia’s war in Ukraine is escalating. The only way to ensure peace is by developing defensive and deterrent capabilities to counter any threat. However, to achieve this level of security, we need to do a lot,” Radev said.

“We must decisively increase investment in the development of our defence capabilities and strengthen our industry. We must restock and continue to develop new technologies in the field of security and defence. However, to succeed, we must overcome fragmented European defence science and industry, give a forward thrust and develop large-scale European cooperation to overcome critical capability gaps,” the President added.

The main purpose of the forum, the organizers, the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Bulgarien) and the German Embassy in Sofia, said, is to establish business contacts and to deepen existing trade and partnership relations with Bulgarian companies in the defence sector.

Within the framework of the forum, German companies from the security and defence sector will present their products and technologies with the aim of making contacts, as well as deepening existing trade and partnership relations with Bulgarian businesses.