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BG

PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV: INTEGRATION OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES WILL CLOSE THE PAGE OF WARS IN THE REGION

05.05.2018

 
What we are doing on the Western Balkans is creating peace. This is the region with the largest number wars, where international peacekeeping missions are still continuing, and unresolved problems remain between individual countries. Giving a Euro-Atlantic perspective to countries in the region means to close the page of wars. This was pointed out by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who participated at the opening of the Informal Meeting of Defense Ministers of EU Member States in Sofia. He expressed gratitude to EU leaders for having the Western Balkans on the Union agenda because the possibility for a new conflict still exist.
 
The Prime Minister focused on the effectiveness of defense spending. He pointed out that the European Union is making a huge effort in this area, but the criterion of devoting 2% of GDP for defence would not be sufficient to meet the collective defense objectives alone. "I do not think that every country needs to buy from the stand per kilogram. Maybe NATO and PESCO colleagues can make a fair estimate which priority could be suitable for each country, what shoudl be its focus, what it is best to produce," said Borissov, also drawing the attention to the responsibilities in respect to the defense industry.
 
The Bulgarian Prime Minister also stressed the efforts of our country in respect to fighting illegal migration. He pointed out that the zero border pressure was also a result of the agreement with Turkey and called for normalization of relations with the largest EU neighbor and NATO member with the strongest army in the Alliance's Southern flank.
 
Borissov briefed the defense ministers on the country's plans to purchase military equipment for the needs of the Bulgarian Army.