site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov, Canadian Ambassador Buchan Discuss Relations in NATO

Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov and the Ambassador of Canada to Bulgaria, based in Bucharest, Gavin Buchan, held a meeting on Monday, the Defence Ministry said. NATO alliance relations and the importance of coordination and constructive dialogue to achieve common goals were at the centre of the discussion. The two officials discussed topical issues related to the dynamically changing security environment and prospects for the development of collective defence. The military and military-technical assistance provided to Ukraine so far was reviewed, and the need for its continuation was underlined.

Zapryanov briefed Buchan on the main priorities in the field of defence set in the government's programme. He focused on the building of modern and interoperable defence capabilities through the implementation of the projects for the modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and manning. Particular attention was paid to the project for the acquisition of Stryker combat vehicles under a framework contract signed in October 2024 between the manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada and TEREM - HOLDING EAD. 

The conditions and prerequisites for increasing the defence spending of the NATO member states, the prospects for the defence industry in the context of the European rearmament initiatives under discussion, as well as the opportunities for bilateral cooperation and joint projects were also discussed. The increased need to strengthen and reinforce the European pillar and its key role in the Alliance against the background of contemporary realities was noted.