site.btaBulgarian Defence Minister to Attend Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) Meeting

Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov will participate in Monday's meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) and the European Defence Agency's Steering Board, which will be held in Brussels, his Ministry said.

The Council will discuss EU military support for Ukraine, after an informal exchange of views with the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, and NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska.

The Council meeting will focus on EU military support for Ukraine, including ammunition deliveries and additional options to support the Ukrainian armed forces, the Defence Ministry said. Ministers will also exchange views on ways to boost Europe's defence industry so it can meet growing demand, including through the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument aimed at strengthening the European defence industrial base, and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).

Measures to counter Russia's shadow fleet will also be discussed. Defence ministers will be briefed on actions to further strengthen Ukraine's armed forces through the EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).

The forum will conclude with a discussion on the EU's defence readiness. Defence ministers are expected to review ongoing initiatives supporting the EU's Defence Technological and Industrial Base, as well as opportunities for cooperation to address capability shortfalls. Views will be exchanged on the implementation of the European Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, and ministers will be briefed on the European Commission's new approach to military mobility, the Ministry added.