site.btaPresident Radev: EU Council Presidency in Context of CSDP Is Great Responsibility

Sofia, January 9 (BTA) - The participants in Tuesday's meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) with the head of State agreed that the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council in the context of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a great responsibility but it also offers significant opportunities for Bulgaria in several very important areas, President Rumen Radev told journalists after the meeting. One of these areas is the effective management of the processes of building the common European defence, he specified.

The head of State convened the CCNS to discuss Bulgaria's role in the development of the EU in the context of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency. The meeting continued for over four hours.

In Radev's words, the participants in the meeting also agreed that Bulgaria should make clear proposals that would guarantee the keeping of the dynamics in the achievement of the targets set in the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence, as well as strengthen the defence cooperation between Member States and contribute to the full integration of their armed forces, defence industries and science in the European integration projects in this sphere. In this relation, the CCNS members agreed on the need to speed up the adoption of measures that would identify all the areas, projects, scientific units and enterprises necessary for Bulgaria's full participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation, the European Defence Fund and the European defence initiatives.

"It is of significant importance that we show while presiding over the Council of the EU that we can fulfill this role effectively; however, this requires that we show that we plan our defence policy in accordance with the European model: comprehensively and long-term," the head of State said. He praised the Government for the recently adopted national plan for increasing the defence expenditure to 2 per cent of GDP by 2024, and described this document as an important basis for the further building of the country's defence capabilities. At the same time, the CCNS members reached an important consensus: that this plan remains open for timely reviews, so that Bulgaria could pursue the development of defence capabilities adequate for the security environment, Radev added.

"This comprehensive and long-term planning of our defence policy requires, respectively, a programme for the development of the armed forces' defence capabilities for at least a ten-year period," Radev went on to say. He recalled that the corresponding plan and programme currently cover the period until 2020, while Bulgaria needs a programme that would cover the defence policy's finances beyond 2024.

"The integration processes and the provision of a European prospect for the Western Balkans require not only that we have greater connectivity in the area of infrastructure and the energy sector but also that we have stronger cooperation in the area of defence, science and education," Radev also said, adding that according to him and the participants in the CCNS meeting, a stronger defence cooperation is very important for strengthening the security in the region.

Radev also told reporters that outside of the Consultative Council, the participants in the meeting discussed the alarming increase in the number of serious criminal offences. "The Interior Ministry is making all efforts to solve these crimes. We agreed on the position that better coordination between institutions is necessary," he said.

The CCNS elaborated specific proposals to the Executive in three key areas. Firstly, while presiding over the Council of the EU Bulgaria should work on the development of measures and initiatives for achieving the level of ambition set in the EU Global Strategy. By June 30, 2018 Bulgaria should finalise the negotiation process on the regulation for the creation of a European Defence Industrial Development Programme.

Secondly, by March 15, 2018 Bulgaria should elaborate a roadmap for preparation of Programme 2030 for the Development of the Defence Capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. By March 31, 2018 an updated plan should be elaborated for participation in projects of the Permanent Structured Cooperation and the European Defence Fund, generating perspective capabilities.

Once Parliament adopts a National Security Strategy, the Strategy for Research and Technologies in Security and Defence 2015 should be updated in accordance with the National Strategy for Development of Scientific Research in Bulgaria 2017-2030. By September 30, 2018 the national plan for increasing defence expenditure to 2 per cent of GDP by 2024 should be reviewed and updated, if necessary, the CCNS proposals to the Executive also read.

Thirdly, by July 1, 2018 Bulgaria should elaborate a roadmap with projects and initiatives in the areas of security and defence that would support the European prospects and security of the Western Balkan countries. This roadmap should include a catalogue of the opportunities for education and training in Bulgaria in the area of security and defence.

Speaking to reporters after the CCNS meeting, Socialist Party leader Kornelia Ninova said she suggested that the participants take a stand on the serious crimes of the last few weeks. "We voiced the joint position that what has happened in recent weeks has dealt a heavy blow on Bulgaria's image, especially at the start of its EU Presidency, and that all institutions should pool their efforts to clear the country's image," she said.

Ninova also asked at the meeting where and how Bulgaria's national interest would be protected during the EU Presidency. "Judging from the reports and conversations, Bulgaria is not ready for an active involvement of its economy and industry in the context of the Common Security and Defence Policy," she said. The European Defence Fund will invest heavily in the coming years to boost industry. The Economy Minister's report showed that while Bulgaria has an industrial potential, no projects are available; the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences said that while this country has a scientific potential, no projects are available; and no interagency body has been set up to coordinate things, said Ninova.

She commented that the Government had missed the opportunity to ensure the development of the local economy, industry and companies in the context of the CSDP. She insisted at the meeting that the final declaration set a time frame for the Government to take specific measures.