site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov: Bulgaria Government Prioritizes Security, Defence Sectors

"Bulgaria supports all efforts aimed at strengthening the Alliance. The newly-formed government of Bulgaria places a strong emphasis on the security and defence sectors and will strive to build modern defence capabilities," said Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, addressing a  meeting of the NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday.

In his remarks, Minister Zapryanov stressed the need for a strong Transatlantic relationship. "The best way to demonstrate the unity and solidarity of the Alliance is in collectively achieving visible and measurable results," he said.  “Our country has fulfilled the commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defence,” he noted. Zapryanov highlighted Bulgaria's commitment and readiness to host a naval cooperation and control of navigation effort in the Black Sea, which will complement NATO's maritime situational awareness and support decision-making in times of crisis.

Minister Zapryanov also drew attention to strengthening the capacity of the defence industry. "Building a strong defence industry in the Alliance and increasing technological and defence cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic space is of key importance," he said.

The meeting of NATO defence ministers began with a working session on strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defence capabilities, priorities and objectives in the context of the upcoming summit in The Hague. Allies examined the equitable distribution of burdens and responsibilities in the Alliance and the implementation of the Defence Investment Commitment, building resilience, and the Alliance's ongoing operations and missions. Defence ministers also discussed issues related to cooperation with the defence industry and adopted an updated Defence Production Action Plan, which takes into account the National Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge adopted at the Washington Summit.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the agreed minimum threshold of 2% of GDP for defence spending no longer meets the requirements of the strategic security environment.

The meeting concluded with a working meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of defence ministers with the participation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Discussions focused on continued support to Ukraine and the implementation of the Alliance's long-term security commitment to the country made at the Washington Summit.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov provided an update on the situation on the battlefield, the country's most urgent needs, and progress on defence reforms.

Allies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Ukraine's security, believing that this is in the interest of their common security.