site.btaDefence Minister and European Internal Market Commissioner Open Security Conference in Plovdiv

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, May 31 (BTA) - Addressing a scientific conference during the Hemus International Defence Equipment Exhibition in Plovdiv Thursday, Bulgarian Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said his country is trying to upgrade its Armed Forces and to strengthen its position as an efficient and respected ally in NATO and a participant in the EU's common security and defence policy. Karakachanov said the acquisition of new combat equipment is a priority for the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

The theme of the conference was "Scientific Research, Innovation and Industrial Cooperation for Common European Defence and Security." The event was held under the patronage of the Bulgarian Ministries of Defence and Economy and figured on the calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council.

The European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elzbieta Bienkowska, told the conference that a few years ago no one would have thought that the European approach to security and defence would change so rapidly. For more than six years, the EU defence market was fragmented, with each member state focusing on its own national interests, but now collective thinking is quickly taking hold, Bienkowska said. "We want to enhance our capacity and combat readiness, and we have a project for collaboration between various companies and the member states in order to develop the whole chain of acquiring military capacity," the Commissioner noted.