site.btaEU Security Will Not Improve Without Political Goals, MEP Vigenin

Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin (S&D/Bulgarian Socialist Party) said Wednesday that the EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument provides an opportunity for any country to take a more active role in strengthening the Union’s defence capabilities. He said that Bulgaria is among the countries with a well-developed defence industry and should take full advantage of the instrument.

Vigenin described SAFE as a chance for Bulgaria to cooperate with other member states holding the necessary licences to adapt its industry for the production of weapons and ammunition according to NATO standards.

He added that SAFE is only one part of a series of related initiatives. Vigenin said he is working on a regulation to significantly speed up the approval of defence projects, so that procedures currently taking one to two years could be completed within 60 days of project submission.

He pointed out that the European instrument would help close technological gaps and reduce the EU’s lag compared with other countries such as the United States, and that over time the Union should acquire the capacity to produce all necessary equipment independently, while maintaining opportunities for cooperation.

Vigenin stressed that no matter how many weapons the EU produces, security will not improve without clear political objectives, the creation of a European army, and the development of the required road and rail infrastructure to ensure military mobility.

Vigenin also said he believes the outgoing government has fulfilled its role regarding Bulgaria’s participation in SAFE and that the process should continue.