site.btaUPDATED PM Denkov Comments on Government Rotation, Defence, Misinformation

On Monday, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov commented on several topics in front of journalists after the presentation of the first Bulgarian-language open-source AI model of the latest generation at the INSAIT Institute in Sofia.

Upcoming government rotation

Prime Minister Denkov addressed the upcoming rotation, commenting that the composition of the new cabinet will be discussed between him and Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel and then there will be a meeting with the parliamentary groups. "Changes will be limited to only where we consider it necessary," Denkov also said. He defined the statement of Health Minister Hristo Hinkov, that he will not remain in this post after the rotation, as hasty.

Commenting on the reservations expressed by the Movements for Rights and Freedoms party regarding the work of Defence Minister Todor Tagarev, Prime Minister Denkov said: "At least 80% of the criticisms expressed publicly are incorrect, inadequate and are the result of some political interests. Criticism for a minister does not mean at all that he should be replaced."

When asked whether Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, whose resignation was demanded by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria because of police brutality during a protest of football fans last year, will remain in his post after the rotation, Denkov commented that every minister could be a subject of criticism and that his attitude towards Minister Stoyanov will depend on his attitude towards violent Interior Ministry officers.  At the moment, he is reacting relatively adequately, Denkov noted.

Defence

The Prime Minister also said that negotiations are underway on improving Bulgaria’s air defence systems.

Commenting on whether there is a new demand on Bulgaria at a NATO level, in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and Defence Minister Todor Tagarev’s recent visit to the US, Denkov commented: “No, we have not discussed new demands. What we want is to strengthen our defence forces, so Tagarev's visit to the US was related to what we want from the United States. Fighter jets, Stryker combat vehicles, participation in command, and the construction of the Eastern Flank - these are our Bulgarian interests, which he defended there."

Hijacked ships in Red Sea

There is no new information on the cases of the kidnapped Bulgarian sailors, the Prime Minister noted, regarding the two ships, Galaxy Leader and Ruen, hijacked in the Red Sea at the end of 2023. Denkov said that the Situation Centre of the Foreign Ministry is dealing with the cases.

There have been talks with the Houthis through the Foreign Ministry, and the kidnapped captain and first mate from one of the ships are reportedly treated relatively well. Mediation opportunities are being used, especially in the case of the Galaxy Leader, Denkov said.

Regarding the Ruen, the Prime Minister recalled that it was hijacked during a pirate raid and the question is how much ransom will be demanded. For the moment, there is nothing disturbing, Denkov added.

Fake news and misinformation

The Prime Minister pointed out that there continues to be a lot of misinformation on social networks and even in some media. "There is no universal mechanism for how to fight it. All countries, including Bulgaria, must make efforts," he argued, stressing that this issue leads to deepening fragmentation of society.