"So far, we have provided [Ukraine] with over 7,000 tonnes of material, including millions of ammunition of different types and calibres, plus over 140 vehicles that are on their way to Ukraine," outgoing Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said during Friday's report on the government's performance over the past nine months.
Tagarev said that his top priority is to adapt the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the management system to the sharply deteriorating security environment, creating conditions for the effective implementation of NATO's plans for deterrence and defence of the Eastern flank.
He said providing assistance to Ukraine remains an undisputed priority of the Cabinet, supported by the National Assembly.
The Bulgarian defence industry is working at maximum capacity, the outgoing minister said.
Tagarev noted that GERB leader Boyko Borissov is right in saying that Bulgaria is among the countries providing significant military assistance. On Thursday, Borissov said Bulgaria has helped Ukraine much more than the big and rich countries in Europe "with ammunition, armoured personnel carriers, tanks, artillery - anything that the Bulgarian Parliament decided to send Ukraine; moreover, this armament goes directly to the front line, because Ukrainian troops use precisely such weapons".
"We are actively working to identify additional opportunities to provide arms to Ukraine and receive financial compensation. My ambition, with the support of the parliament, is to secure in this way BGN 1 billion above the voted budget, which we will reinvest for accelerated rearmament of the Bulgarian army," Tagarev said.
"I will focus on improving the social status of people in defence and the conditions for training and education, so that the prestige of the military profession is raised and it becomes attractive to more young people. I will work to increase the competitiveness of the Bulgarian defence industry and integrate it into the European and Euro-Atlantic defence technological industrial base, which will bring lasting economic benefits to the country and new jobs," Tagarev said.
/YV/
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