site.btaPM Zhelyazkov, EC President von der Leyen to Visit Bulgaria’s Largest State-Owned Ordnance Plant

On Sunday, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit the VMZ ordnance plant in Sopot, Bulgaria’s largest state-owned defence factory and the largest armaments production site in the country, the Government Information Service said in a press release.

During their meeting, the two leaders will discuss issues related to European security and defence. Following the talks, Zhelyazkov and von der Leyen will tour the plant and familiarize themselves with its capabilities.

At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister and the European Commission President will hold a news briefing.

Von der Leyen’s trip to Bulgaria is part of her tour of the EU’s eastern border countries, also including Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania, the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria said. Her visit is intended to underscore the EU’s support for member states facing the challenges of shared borders with Russia and Belarus, the statement added.