site.btaUS Ambassador Pledges Increased Defence Support for Bulgaria

US Ambassador Pledges
Increased Defence
Support for Bulgaria


Sofia, May 20 (BTA) - Bulgaria will receive stronger support in the field of defence than it has received recently, US Ambassador to Sofia Eric Rubin said during a business luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria on Friday.

Ambassador Rubin said the number of military exercises and training events in Bulgaria will rise next year, and so will the NATO units and other forces deployed in Bulgaria. This is part of a plan to increase US and NATO presence in the Black Sea region, particularly the presence of US Navy SEALs. Rubin noted that the Black Sea will pose a challenge in the future.

The Graf Ignatievo Air Base in Southern Bulgaria will remain a hub for concerted partner efforts and it is hoped that the equipment of the base will be upgraded, the diplomat went on to say.

He noted that Bulgaria's bilateral military activities with the US in the field of security and defence have increased by more than 400 per cent over the last few years. The two countries now use the best channels for sharing information, including information about new types of threats such as cyber threats. Ambassador Rubin said the US is seeking to expand the exchange of intelligence information with its EU partners in order to prevent another incident like the Brussels terror attacks. The US and Bulgaria are very devoted to enhancing the safeguards against terrorism, he said.

The destruction of Syria and the fact that millions of Syrians are dying or are forced to emigrate presents a huge threat, Ambassador Rubin said. He hopes that the US and Europe will cooperate with other global players, including China. He said China should become a principal stakeholder, not just a party represented in the UN Security Council. PK/VE

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