site.btaGovernment Adopts Updated National Plan to Strengthen Presence in EU Civilian CSDP Compact

At its regular sitting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted an updated National Implementation Plan on strengthening the country’s participation in the civilian dimension of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the government said in a press release.

The National Plan reflects the commitments made by Bulgaria and the rest of the EU Member States within the framework of the 2023 Civilian CSDP Compact. It sets targets in four areas to be implemented by 2027: legal basis, human resource management, training and strategic communication. The main objectives include the establishment of a functioning coordination mechanism, increasing the number of seconded national experts in civilian missions, improving the range of those involved in training for civilian CSDP purposes, as well as providing for additional training programmes and improving awareness of issues related to civilian CSDP missions and operations.

The Civilian CSDP Compact is one of the EU's main instruments for ensuring security and stability in the Union's neighbouring regions in times of conflict and crisis. Thirteen civilian missions work to enhance and strengthen security, the rule of law and human rights in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Bulgaria has currently deployed 22 staff to its priority civilian missions in Kosovo, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia and Libya.