site.btaBulgarian Defence Minister, Austrian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Security Relations

Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev and Austrian Ambassador to Bulgaria Andrea Ikić-Böhm held a meeting, discussing bilateral security and defence relations, the Defence Ministry said in a press release here on Thursday.

The talks focused on issues related to European security policy, support for Ukraine and measures to strengthen the deterrence and defence potential of NATO's eastern flank. In this context, the two sides also discussed the construction of infrastructure on Bulgarian territory necessary for broadening the existing multinational battlegroup in Bulgaria (which is of battalion level) to a brigade level. The interaction between NATO and the EU to increase military mobility was also a topic of discussion. Emphasis was also placed on the security risks in the Black Sea.

Tagarev stressed that one of his main priorities as a defence minister is the modernization process of the Bulgarian armed forces and outlined the progress of the modernization projects.

On Wednesday, Tagarev said that the countries on NATO's eastern flank are taking steps to build a more serious deterrence and defence capabilities.