site.bta2024 Defence Spending Will Be No Less than 2% of GDP, Defence Minister Says

Defence spending in 2024 will be no less thjan 2% of the GDP, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said Wednesday as he attended an event celebrating the centenary of the Sliven branch of the Military Medical Academy. His Ministry quoted him recalling recent remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg a couple of days ago that 2% for defence spending is the minimum. 

"A large-scale war is being wages very close to the Bulgarian border. The governments in the region are setting aside considerable resources for development of the defence capabilities. Bulgaria is doing that, too. And next year defence spending will be no less than 2% of GDP. That will be spending that we have not seen in 20 years," he said.

He added that as it increases its defence spending, Bulgaria is able to invest both in defence capabilities and in medical care in the defence sector, such as the Sliven hospital, and that the government will continue to invest in hospitals within the system of the Military Medical Academy.

The hospital provides services for Bulgarian service persons in the region and for the allied forces which come to Bulgaria. Also, it is an important asset for the people in Sliven and the wider region.

Attending the event were also Bulgarian Chief of Defence Emil Eftimov and the head of the Military Medical Academy Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski.