PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV: BULGARIA IS A LOYAL AND PROVEN PARTNER IN NATO

 

Bulgaria is one of the most loyal members of NATO, who has proven itself in Alliance operations and made sacrifices in their implementation, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said. During his meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, who is on a visit to Bulgaria, he stressed that the Euro-Atlantic road of our country and the membership of the European Union are a strategic priority for the government.

 

Borissov pointed out that Bulgaria prioritizes stability and security in the countries of the Western Balkans and expects the progress of the candidate countries to be taken into consideration. "We need to send clear messages for continued political commitment and practical cooperation with the countries in the region," he said. The Prime Minister drew attention to the periodic manifestations of nationalism and ethnic tensions that could lead to turbulence in the region and stressed that engaging with NATO and the EU will bring more stability. "We want to turn the Balkans into a construction site, not into graveyards of mass murders and ethnic conflicts," he said.

 

The Prime Minister informed the Deputy Secretary General of NATO that Bulgaria has finalized its updated projects for the acquisition of new armored vehicles for the Land Forces and a new model of aircraft for the Air Force. A project for two multi-function modular ships was also developed to be implemented at a later stage. "Although our political opponents do not favour the increase in defence apending, I believe that with these projects we will cover NATO requirements on defense spending," Borissov said.

 

NATO continues to support Bulgaria, which is a valuable partner and has made an outstanding contribution to our joint operations, especially in missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan, the Deputy Secretary General of the Alliance said. Rose Gottemoeller adde that she was impressed with the professionalism of the armed forces. She also praised Bulgaria's role in deepening NATO-EU cooperation and the successful conduction of the rotating Presidency of the EU Council.