site.btaUPDATED NATO Enlargement Is Enlargement of Democracy, Peace, Security, Outgoing PM Denkov Says

At its essence, NATO enlargement is an enlargement of democracy, peace and security, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said at a national conference "20 Years Bulgaria in NATO: Because We're Stronger Together" on Friday. The forum is held under the auspices of the outgoing government. It is organized by the Diplomatic Institute under the Foreign Minister, together with the Information Centre of the Ministry of Defence, the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria and the Sofia Security Forum.

Denkov noted that today the Alliance is the guarantor of the security of over 1 billion civilians. NATO has shown that it can successfully adapt to security challenges, he said, adding that unity makes people stronger.

[Russia's President] Vladimir Putin's enemy is not the military power of the West and NATO, because the Alliance's doctrine is deterrent and defensive, Denkov stressed, emphasizing that Moscow’s regime is fighting against democracy and its values.

"Today Putin is not waging war against imaginary NATO armies, the regime in Moscow is seeking victory against democracy through violence, fear-mongering, division, energy pressure and corruption. Today Putin is waging war against democracy in Europe and the world," Denkov added.

In his words, the fact that "today the Kremlin is waging an aggressive hybrid war against Bulgaria is direct proof that democracy has prevailed in Bulgaria and the country's accession to NATO and the EU has played a major role in this".

According to Denkov Bulgarian cannot have economic, social, energy, health and governance stability without the necessary guarantees for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. "We got all this thanks to our accession to NATO," Denkov added.

The outgoing PM stressed that for two years now there have been allied forces on Bulgarian territory and emphasized that their presence will be expanded. In his words, this is a clear signal that Bulgaria is protected and nullifies any potential aggressor.