site.btaPresident Urges Against Further Cuts to Defence Budget

President Urges Against Further Cuts to Defence Budget

Sofia, December 1 (BTA) - President and Supreme Armed Forces
Commander Rosen Plevneliev on Monday urged the government and
Parliament not to reduce further defence expenditures and honour
 commitments made by Bulgaria at the latest NATO summit.

"We made a clear commitment to our allies that Bulgaria won't
cut further defence expenditures, will keep 2014 levels and
gradually increase them. This is important as the security
environment has changed dramatically," said the head of State.

Approached whether he would push for more money for defence
during budget debates in Parliament, Plevneliev said that he
would demand that Bulgaria honoured its commitments and nothing
more. He said that the institutions should be building trust in
the Bulgarian statehood and when a commitment is made, it should
 be honoured. "We don't want more money, but the clear
commitment is not to reduce further the defence budget of the 28
 EU members," added Plevneliev.

Defence Minister Dessislava Yossifova would not say whether
personnel may be laid off due to the budget allocation for
defence. When approached for figures about how many people will
be laid off, she said that the layoffs might be avoided.

President Plevneliev attended observances marking the 123th
anniversary of the Military Medical Academy.