site.btaParticipants in Interparliamentary Conference Discuss EU-NATO Cooperation, EU's Defence Capabilities

Sofia, February 17 (BTA) - On the last day of the Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in Sofia, the participants discussed the strengthening of EU-NATO cooperation, the future development of the EU's defence capabilities, cybersecurity, and strategic communications, the National Assembly said in a press release.

Parliamentary Defence Committee Chair Konstantin Popov said that the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence and the Capability Development Plan are expected to help strengthen the defence capabilities and identify new areas for joint projects within the Permanent Structured Cooperation.

Work continues on the European Defence Fund and the adoption of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme Regulation, which will create opportunities for all Member States to participate in various projects, Popov noted. He added that stimuli should be created for SMEs to participate.

Gabor Iklody, Director of the Crisis Management and Planning Directorate of the European External Action Service, said that greater integration on defence matters and improved cooperation will help strengthen the EU's defence capabilities.
 
Parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee Chair Dzhema Grozdanova said, as quoted by GERB's press centre, that the final document adopted by the participants in the forum covers the implementation of the EU Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy and the speeding up of reforms in the context of the Western Balkan countries' EU perspective. The final document also covers the CSDP, the EU's policies in the Black Sea region and the cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries, Grozdanova specified.