site.btaNational Security Council: Bulgarian Army Performs Part of Its Defence Mission Tasks to Limited Extent

Sofia, April 19 (BTA) - Emerging from a five-hour meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) here on Thursday, President Rumen Radev said that it analyzed the state of the Armed Forces and their capability to implement their defence tasks. It was established that the Bulgarian army performs part of these tasks to a limited extent due to personnel shortage and outdated military equipment, said the President.

Radev convened the CCNS to discuss the risks and threats to national security, the state of the Armed Forces, and the necessary measures.

He said that the exodus of service members from the Armed Forces has not been fully handled, and the measures taken cannot give a fast result.

The delay in the projects for modernization of the Armed Forces deprives them of modern capabilities adequate to the existing threats, and interoprability with Bulgaria's allies, Radev said.

The CCNS held a meeting with a similar agenda a year ago. Radev said that in the meantime the Armed Forces decreased by nearly 1,000 people, the old equipment grew older, and no new equipment was purchased. On this background, the developments around Bulgaria have intensified, he added.

The President urged the institutions to consider responsibly the problems of the Armed Forces and the security of the Bulgarian citizens. Radev also called for "businesslike and responsible attitude" to Bulgaria's allies and said the time for promises and statements has ended.