site.btaOutgoing Defence Minister Tagarev: Governance Programme Implemented Except for One Item

All items set out in the governance programme have been implemented except one, said Thursday outgoing Defence Minister Todor Tagarev during a hearing in the parliamentary defence committee. The question, related to the work of the ministry and its results, was asked by committee chair Hristo Gadzhev (GERB-UDF).

In Tagarev's words, the only item that has not been fully implemented, but only partially, are the amendments to the Armed Forces Reserve Act.

Tagarev said that the defence budget for 2024 is 60% higher than that for 2022. The outgoing minister said that BGN 180 million in defence spending in the central budget, are earmarked for salary increases this year. In April, all servicemen and employees of the defence system will receive an increase, not less than 10%, to their salaries, Tagarev said.

MP Ivelin Parvanov from Vazrazhdane said that this year many senior officers are going to retire, which will further aggravate the problem of staffing. He said there is an option where officers who have to retire can stay in service for one more year and this can be repeated thrice. He asked Tagarev if he intends to use that option.

“This option is used for those officers who have not availed themselves of the right to pension, for those who have availed themselves we very rarely make exceptions,” the outgoing Minister said. Tagarev commented that the problem with the senior personnel is not as severe as that with junior personnel.

Of the contract for the Stryker combat vehicles, Tagarev said that there is some ambiguity, but they have tabled a draft investment cost in Parliament. This project will be executed with three contracts - one for the machines, which has already been awarded, one for the artillery ammunition and a third for the missile armament, he added. Tagarev said talks for a new ammunition contract should start this year.