site.btaBulgarian Defence Minister Tagarev Takes Part in Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers

Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev took part in a meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence in Brussels on February 15, his Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.  The discussions focused on topical issues related to strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence capabilities in the context of preparations for the upcoming summit in July 2024 in Washington. The NATO Ministers talked over the fair distribution of burdens and responsibilities and discussed the implementation of the renewed Defence Investment Pledge (DIP), whereby investing 2% of GDP in defence is a minimum threshold, not a ceiling.

The allies agreed that in a more dangerous and competitive world they should continue to invest more in NATO. Thy also discussed the implementation of the Defence Production Action Plan (DPAP), which aims to increase defence production, improve interoperability, and support and develop the transatlantic defence and industrial base. The attendees reaffirmed the need to increase the defence industry’s production capacity.

Addressing the forum, Tagarev stressed that all measures to enhance defence capabilities within DPAP are essential. "Cooperation between NATO and the EU in the field of defence production, all-out support and assistance to Ukraine remains key to avoiding effort duplication, achieving complementarity and effective use of national and common resources," the Bulgarian Defence Minister stressed. At the national level, Bulgaria is making efforts to increase the capacity of its defence industry, has developed a Defence Investment Programme until 2032 and already exceeds 2% of GDP for defence, Tagarev underscored.

The meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence concluded with a working meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Defence Ministers with the participation of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson. The discussion covered long-term political and practical support to Ukraine, the implementation of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Ukraine endorsed at the Vilnius Summit, and Ukraine's Annual National Programme.

During the meeting, Tagarev stressed that Bulgaria continues to consider various options for providing effective support to Ukraine, both military and humanitarian, within its national capabilities.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov provided an update on the war in Ukraine, as well as plans for reforms in this country. Allies confirmed that they will continue to provide aid to Ukraine.

In Brussels, Tagarev held bilateral meetings with NATO defence ministers, and with General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The meetings discussed topical issues on the NATO agenda and preparations for the Washington summit. Conferring with Albanian Defence Minister Niko Peleshi and the Defence Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska, Tagarev discussed the importance of Pan-European Transport Corridor № 8 for military mobility and economic development.

From Brussels, Tagarev will travel to Munich, where he will participate in the traditional Munich Security Conference between February 16 and 18.