site.btaNATO and EU Way of Life for Bulgarians, Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev Says

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev stated that NATO and the European Union have become integral parts of life in Bulgaria, a reality in which Bulgarians have developed themselves both as people and as citizens. "My generation takes the Euro-Atlantic structures for granted," he said at the forum NATO after The Hague'25: The Bulgarian Dimension 2025-2035, organised by the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria at the Central Military Club in Sofia. 

The conference, supported by the Atlantic Union of Reserve Officers, analysed the messages from the NATO Summit held on June 25, marking 75 years since the alliance’s formation. Georgiev summarised that the forum in The Hague reaffirmed NATO’s position as the leading and most successful defensive alliance in the free and democratic world. He added that Article 5 of the NATO Charter had been reaffirmed, and with unanimous support, an agreement was reached to increase military spending in order to achieve 5% of GDP by 2035. 

Georgiev noted that many participants in the conference have worked towards ensuring that Bulgaria’s future remains dedicated to Euro-Atlantic integration, a goal that was recently completed with Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone. 

On the conference in The Hague, the Foreign Minister emphasised that NATO emerged more united and stronger, with a clearer rationale for its existence—its mission. NATO, he said, is primarily a political-military alliance. He added that the critical question of securing political support for military expenditures was answered by the decision to raise military spending to 5% of GDP, an objective that is no longer a distant goal but a logical step forward in defence contributions. 

The Foreign Minister stressed that NATO is responsible for global security, not just in Europe. Georgiev explained that Bulgaria’s readiness to participate in the cause of the 5% defence spending goal is driven by several factors. "The key issue is that the Black Sea is a border region in the context of war," he said. This, he explained, is why Bulgaria is proud of its efforts to draw attention to NATO’s increased presence in the Black Sea region and along NATO’s eastern flank. "Just 400 km from Ukraine and the ongoing war, Bulgaria can confidently claim that it is safeguarding regional security and demanding to be part of the global security architecture," Georgiev added.

He highlighted Bulgaria's commitment to NATO and the alliance's reciprocal commitment to Bulgaria. "That’s why we encouraged countries from the Western Balkans to integrate into the alliance and why we want to invest in our own defence capabilities," Georgiev said. He also noted that through the mechanisms of the European Commission and the European Union, Bulgaria has the opportunity to invest in its defence industry, focusing on production, distribution, and expanding military-industrial capacity. 

Georgiev also expressed his opposition to the hybrid narrative that suggests Bulgaria is spending money on unnecessary defence equipment at the expense of other sectors. "Investing in defence and military infrastructure is crucial, especially since 2008, when we began to witness growing threats that Europe and NATO have not adequately addressed. We must have the necessary tools to ensure that Russia makes peace," Georgiev said. He added that this is why Bulgaria is helping Ukraine and investing in its own defence. The Minister concluded that the Hague Summit guaranteed the collective commitment of nations to contribute to a safer, more stable, and peaceful world.