European Commission President, Prime Minister, GERB Leader Visit VMZ Ordnance Plant in Sopot

Nikolay Zabov, BTA correspondent Irina Shopova

From left: EC President von der Leyen, PM Zhelyazkov, GERB leader Borissov, Defence Minister Zapryanov, Economy Minister Dilov, Sopot, August 31, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Sopot, South Central Bulgaria,

31.08.2025 22:27

(BTA)

After European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen arrived for a one-day visit to Bulgaria on Sunday, she and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Minister of Economy and Industry Peter Dilov, and GERB leader Boyko Borissov toured the VMZ ordnance plant in Sopot, Bulgaria’s largest state-owned defence factory and the largest armaments production site in the country.

After the tour, Zhelyazkov told a press conference that security guarantees are needed, especially in the context of the military doctrines of the Russian Federation. He stated that the EC White Paper for European Defence and the European SAFE security mechanism are the prerequisites that, since the beginning of this year, have provided clear prospects for the development of industrial defence capabilities, which for Bulgaria means technology transfer and opportunities that will increase the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy.

Von der Leyen pointed out that Bulgaria actively contributes to the defence and security of both Ukraine and Europe through its defence industry. She reported that since the start of the war, some 33% of the arms used by Ukraine have come from Bulgaria.

Borissov stated that while everyone favours peace, a strong defence is necessary to avoid getting attacked. He added that Bulgaria must take advantage of the SAFE mechanism, if Bulgaria's defence industry is to stay competitive on the global market.

Von der Leyen's visit took place against the backdrop of a protest organized by the Vazrazhdane euro-sceptic nationalist party, which was later joined by supporters of Velichie.

The head of the EC was in Bulgaria as part of her tour of the EU’s eastern border countries, also including Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania. Her visit is intended to underscore the EU’s support for Member States facing the challenges of shared borders with Russia and Belarus.

/NZ/

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31.08.2025 21:32 Bulgaria