site.btaMinister Zapryanov Stresses Importance of Black Sea Security and EU Border Protection at Informal EU Defence Meeting

Security in the Black Sea region and the need to safeguard the European Union’s borders were central themes in Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov’s remarks at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Copenhagen on Friday.

Zapryanov highlighted the importance of enhancing military mobility and called for improvements to dual-use transport infrastructure, as well as increased budget allocations for this area in the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework. He also stressed the need to integrate Ukraine’s defence industry with the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, pointing out that the SAFE financial instrument will contribute to deepening industrial cooperation. Once again, he underlined the urgent need to unblock support measures for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility.

The informal meeting in Copenhagen, part of Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, was chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Over the course of three working sessions, ministers discussed the EU’s ongoing military support for Ukraine, the bloc’s defence readiness, and the status of EU military missions and operations within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Participants included NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska, Chair of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence, Agnes-Marie Strack-Zimmermann, and Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, who joined the discussions via video link.

During the meeting, the ministers addressed continued EU military support for Ukraine, including through existing initiatives aimed at meeting Ukraine’s urgent needs. The discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation and integration between the EU and Ukrainian defence industries, as well as training Ukrainian armed forces under the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA).

In his address, Minister Zapryanov emphasised the importance of keeping Ukraine a strategic priority for the EU. He stressed the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine, backed by sustained support from both European and transatlantic partners. He reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to continuing its assistance to Ukraine, in line with decisions taken by the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. He also informed his colleagues about the organisation of summer seaside camps for children of Ukrainian military personnel at Ministry of Defence recreational bases, as part of Bulgaria’s comprehensive support for Ukraine.

Discussions also covered the implementation of the White Paper on European Defence – Readiness 2030, and the "ReArm Europe" Plan, in light of the outcomes of the recent EU and NATO summits in June. Defence ministers exchanged views on cooperation in key capability areas and shared expectations for the forthcoming Defence Readiness Roadmap. The focus also extended to the Union’s military missions and operations under the CSDP, with debates on how to continue and adapt these commitments in a changing geopolitical environment.