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Rosen Plevneliev and Jens Stoltenberg: Bulgaria is a Reliable NATO Ally and Partner

President Rosen Plevneliev called on for updating the national defense budget in 2015, whereby Bulgaria will fulfill the commitment assumed at the NATO summit in Wales for more investments in its defense capabilities. The Head of State held talks today at 2 Dondukov street with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, after which the two gave a joint press conference.

The President recalled that the gradual increase of defense spending has been planned in the adopted programme “Bulgaria in NATO and European Defense 2020.” The programme introduces a long-term planning of the funds allocated to defense and ensures the financing of the seven priority projects on modernizing the Armed Forces.

“Bulgaria is NATO’s strategic ally and partner in Southeast Europe,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said and emphasized our country’s stabilizing role in a region located near a lot of critical spots in the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine. Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the commitment assumed by the NATO member states to increase defense spending and improve their economic indicators is necessary not only for strengthening the countries’ security, but also for maintaining the defense capabilities of the Alliance.

Bulgaria relies on the support of its NATO partners for rearmament and technological modernization of its Armed Forces, the Head of State said and emphasized that our country will have to reduce its dependence on one arms supplier, also regarding the maintenance of the armaments and military equipment. “Ensuring interoperability of the Bulgarian Army with our NATO allies is an obligatory condition for efficiently conducting joint missions. This is a priority for the Bulgarian parliament, government and presidential institution,” Rosen Plevneliev further said.

The changed security environment in the Black Sea region necessitates conducting more and more large-scale trainings and military exercise, it was pointed out at the press conference. The already built joint military facilities in Bulgaria can be more efficiently used for the training of the Allied Forces, the Head of State further said.

The measures NATO has taken to strengthen the security in Eastern Europe, such as conducting naval patrols in the Black Sea, are completely defensive, Jens Stoltenberg said. Six NATO multinational command and control elements will be deployed in Eastern Europe, the aim of which is to plan the joint military exercise and improve the coordination between the national command centers and command structures of the Alliance. “We are ready to take the necessary measures in order to respond to challenges from any direction,” Jens Stoltenberg was adamant.

Sharing resources between the NATO allies within the “Smart Defense” initiative is of key importance for achieving greater efficiency under conditions of financial difficulties, President Plevneliev said. In the Head of State’s view, Bulgaria has the potential to specialize in the sphere of medical capacities, cyber-security, logistics and intelligence. The Head of State also reiterated our country’s support for NATO’s policy of “open doors.”   

Violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity pose a threat to the stability and peace in Europe, was the opinion shared by the Head of State and NATO Secretary General. Bulgaria is a leading nation in a trust fund on medical help and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian servicemen, the Head of State’s words made it clear.

“We remain involved in the NATO “Resolute Support” mission, the aim of which is to assist the building of the Afghan’s army defense capabilities,” the President further told representatives of the media. After the withdrawal of the Allied Forces at the end of 2014, Bulgaria is taking part in NATO’s new mission with up to 110 servicemen.

The Head of State was adamant that our country feels solidarity with its allies and will continue to support the efforts of the international community to fight terrorism and the terrorist group “Islamic State.” “The tragic events in Paris showed that no countries are “ensured” against such terror acts,” President Rosen Plevneliev further said.