site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian Defence Minister Yanev Takes Part in Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels

Bulgarian Defence Minister Stefan Yanev took part in the two-day meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence held in NATO's HQ in Brussels on February 16 and 17.

Speaking to reporters there, Yanev said that by June it will be clear which NATO forces will join military exercises in Bulgaria for a more intensive preparation. "Bulgaria is part of the decisions made and part of NATO. Everything is done consciously in consensus with the allies", he added.

He reiterated that Bulgaria's main focus are the efforts on increasing the preparedness and the operational compatibility of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

On the topic of the deployment of battle groups on the eastern flank of the Alliance, Yanev said that in Bulgaria that will be done based on Bulgarian units, with a Bulgarian commander and under Bulgarian command, with the participation of other forces of NATO countries. He added that it is not yet clear which countries will be involved in the preparation and with what forces.

That will be a gathering of units of the Land Forces in a group for joint training in Bulgarian territory. The group is not expected to leave the country’s territory, will be training only defence tactics. The goals are to increase operational compatibility and preparedness among all subdivisions which take part in these exercises, Yanev noted.

Details are still to be specified, it is unclear what it will look like, because Bulgaria is working and communicating with the allies bilaterally, said Yanev, adding that the country is coordinating with NATO from the perspective that the Bulgarian battle group will not be under operative control as it will not be used in offensives anywhere. The aim of the exercises is increased preparedness, Yanev stressed.

The group will be of 700 to 1000 people but exercising procedures do not imply that they will be put together in the same location. Bulgarians will constitute 70-80 per cent of the group, Yanev said answering questions. He noted that there is a partnership agreement regarding exercises with the US and the joint military training at the Novo Selo Range functions based on the agreement. Within the framework of the exercises planned for 2021, a new American military contingent is expected to arrive the following week with military equipment of maximum 15 armoured vehicles, which will join Bulgarian subdivisions under the same principle – to increase preparedness, Yanev added.

Stefan Yanev said that it will not be permanent deployment. According to him the described actions are part of a procedure for a more intensive preparation. 

Taking part in a North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers’ session with Georgia and Ukraine on Thursday, Yanev reaffirmed Bulgaria's support to Ukraine and Georgia and their territorial integrity and sovereignty in the internationally recognized borders, Yanev's Ministry said in a press release. The Bulgarian Defence Minister welcomed the progress in the implementation of the reforms by the two countries and encouraged them to keep on the reform track despite the challenges they are faced with. He said that this is the path to sustainability through democracy and rule of law. 

The forum concluded with an informal session attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the defence ministers of Sweden and Finland. At the session Yanev stressed the need to expand the cooperation between NATO and the EU, taking into account the need of complementing the functions of the two organizations. He voiced a hope for signing soon the third joint NATO-EU declaration.

Within the forum Yenv conferred with NATO Director of Defence Planning Paul Savereux.