site.btaDefence Minister, British Ambassador Discuss Security Environment

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and British Ambassador here Nathaniel Copsey discussed issues related to the changing security environment. The talks were attended by Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Emil Eftimov and UK Defence Attache Lieutenant-Colonel Matthew Walker, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

The two sides highly appreciated bilateral defence cooperation and expressed confidence that efforts to achieve objectives of mutual interest and fruitful partnership in defence will continue to deepen. They discussed the increase in the defence budget of both countries, the development of collective defence in the context of NATO and the European initiatives under discussion to increase defence spending and rearmament.

Minister Zapryanov familiarized Ambassador Copsey with the main defence priorities, set out in the government programme. He focused on the building of modern and interoperable defence capabilities through the implementation of the projects for the modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces and staffing. Minister Zapryanov stressed that the achievements made so far in ensuring adequate and fair pay and improving working conditions for the servicemen are already bearing fruit and said that he expects this year to be successful in terms of recruiting a sufficient number of motivated and qualified army personnel.

Ambassador Copsey said that the UK government's main priorities include advancing its relationship with the European Union, meeting its responsibilities towards partner countries and increasing investment in the country's defence.

The development of the potential of the Bulgarian and British defence industries in the context of the possible options for the implementation of the European Commission's defence plan and the continuation of military and technical assistance to Ukraine were also on the agenda. Minister Zapryanov thanked the British government for its assistance with expert training in the field of strategic communications.