site.btaSofia Security Forum Director: NATO Can Strengthen Defence of Black Sea Members without Heightening Tensions

Sofia Security Forum Director Yordan Bozhilov told BTA that NATO can strengthen its positions in the Black Sea without ships entering it. This could be done by deploying land troops in the territory of the Allies and new air and coastal defence systems, and by providing technological assistance to countries to build their capabilities. "NATO has many options, but I stress - the Alliance's position is to support and strengthen the defence of its Members without contributing to increased tensions and confrontation with Russia," Bozhilov said.

The war in Ukraine is destroying the foundations of peace and security in Europe; regrettably, it has entered a stage of attrition, without either side being able to win a decisive victory on the battlefield, Bozhilov added. According to him, there are many possible scenarios for the conflict and "we should support Ukraine, as this is the way it can protect its territorial integrity and people". Bozhilov said the upcoming elections in the US and Europe are factors in these scenarios. It is very important that the countries all over the world should stick to the view that peace is based on principles, that the UN and other organizations are the place where disputes must be resolved, not the battlefield.

As to the conflict in the Middle East, Bozhilov said that it too could spill over. This conflict has already caused great insecurity in the region; there is also the problem of the humanitarian crisis, he added. His position is that maximum political efforts should be made to end it. Of course, the world cannot accept that terrorist organizations are attacking civilians, Bozhilov said, adding that there are principles that countries the world over have agreed on. The idea is to move towards the creation of two states, a Palestinian State and an Israeli State, which would function together, but the continuation of the conflict seems to make this solution more difficult.

In Varna, Bozhilov Wednesday opened an exhibition of drawings showing the children's view of the war in Ukraine. It is hosted by the Regional Library and is organized by the Sofia Security Forum and the Atlantic Association of Officers in the Reserve, with support from the embassies of the US and Ukraine.