Public Oversight Needed When Modernizing Army with Loans, President Radev Says

Risida Dimitrova, Nikolai Trifonov

President Rumen Radev at a graduation ceremony of the G.S. Rakovski Military Academy, Sofia, July 31, 2025 (BTA Photo/Minko Chernev)

Sofia,

31.07.2025 15:07

(BTA)

President Rumen Radev told journalists on Thursday that the modernization of the Bulgarian army, especially through loans, requires increased public oversight on where and how the funds are being spent. The head of State spoke to the media after attending the formal graduation ceremony of officers from the 2025 Slivnitsa-Dragoman Class at the G.S. Rakovski Military Academy in Sofia.

“The funds must be very clearly prioritized so that we achieve the greatest effect with the least possible expenditure. Secondly, there should be maximum use of the SAFE instrument. And thirdly, and most importantly, if we don’t ensure that a significant portion of these funds also boosts our national defence industry and science, then in the long term, this won’t be beneficial,” Radev said.

Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is a new EU financial instrument to be financed by EU borrowing. The European Commission will be called upon to issue up to EUR 150 billion of funding until the end of the decade to help EU Member States increase expenditure on common defence procurement.

Radev emphasized that it is not only important to engage the domestic defence industry to the fullest extent, but also to ensure its participation in leading European defence projects.

The President said that he had made maximum efforts to convince Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger to invest in Bulgaria. “I hope the executive branch makes the most of everything that has been achieved so far,” the head of State added.

Regarding the appointment of a new Interior Ministry Secretary General, Radev said, “I have also submitted a request for coordination for the issuance of another decree. I am also awaiting a response.” He did not say what decree he was referring to. “Just as you are interested in the Interior Ministry's Secretary General, you should also be interested in other important positions in the State,” the President told journalists.

Earlier in July, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the Government was awaiting the President’s decision on the coordination procedure for the new secretary general of the Interior Ministry.

/DS/