site.btaUS Ambassador Rubin Commends Bulgaria's Plans to Increase Defence Expenditures

Sofia, June 13 (BTA) - US Ambassador here Eric Rubin said that Bulgaria is one of a small number of NATO allies who have already created a credible plan to reach 2 per cent of GDP for defence expenditures by 2024. "Now the plan must be put into action and real progress realized," he added.

Ambassador Rubin delivered a lecture on NATO and Bulgaria-US cooperation at the Rakovsky Military Academy on Wednesday.

Collective security requires not only shared commitments but also investments in defence capabilities, so increased defence spending and burden sharing will be a key priority of the United Sates at the NATO Summit in Brussels, the American diplomat said.

Over the last several years Bulgaria has allocated funds to modernize its armed forces but setbacks have stood in the way of carrying out these plans from year to year. Bulgaria remains reliant on Soviet-era equipment. Investing in military modernization not only fulfills Bulgaria's NATO commitments but will strengthen the country's armed forces in myriad ways, according to the Ambassador.

Ambassador Rubin elaborated on the advantaged of the projects for the modernization of the armed forces. Acquiring new armored land vehicles will not only provide Bulgaria with essential equipment to help fulfill Bulgaria's NATO defence spending requirements and commitments but will help enhance Bulgaria's role within the alliance and help to secure Bulgaria's borders and national territory.

Modernizing the Navy will help Bulgaria guard its coastline and make greater use of the highly trained naval forces. Moreover new ships will provide Bulgaria with new expanded training opportunities with NATO allies and partners.

A new NATO interoperable aircraft will allow Bulgaria's airforce to train with an ever expanding number of NATO ally and partner nations including most of Bulgaria's neighbours.

Within a very short period of time Bulgaria must modernize its air force for the safety and security of its pilots and to reduce its dependence on Russia for its military needs, warned the Ambassador.

In advance of the NATO summit next month Bulgaria is in a position to stand out among all the allies. With Sabre Guardian 2017, the successful EU presidency and the start of planning for Sabre Guardian 2019 Bulgaria possesses a unique resume among the allies. To take action now in implementing the country's defence spending and modernization plans ahead of the summit will place Bulgaria in a distinctive positive position when NATO allies gather in Brussels in July.

The United States stands with Bulgaria at it pursues these measures but only Bulgaria and Bulgarians can take the necessary decisions and actions. As it has shown over the past 25 years Bulgaria is capable of great accomplishments when focused on a goal such as EU or NATO membership. Bulgaria also demonstrates the ability to motivate and inspire its neighbours who seek to follows its path.

"I look forward to seeing what next steps Bulgaria takes as an Ally and a regional leader and have great optimism for the future of the country, our bilateral relationship in NATO and for Bulgaria's role within the Alliance", concluded Rubin.