NEWS

 

The main factor for the security of all NATO Member States is unity, not only in shared political will, developing adequate defence capabilities and interoperability, but also in developing our defence industries and cutting-edge technologies, declared President Rumen Radev in a statement before the beginning of the NATO Summit held today in Brussels.

 

Mr. Rumen Radev emphasised that the adaptation of the Alliance in the increasingly challenging security environment will be discussed today at a high level and that the strategic document to be passed – NATO 2030 sets a high level of ambitions for developing the Alliance in the coming decade. “The projects we will discuss today are a pledge to maintain the technological advantage of the Alliance. Furthermore, they are of significant importance for the development of the defence industry in Bulgaria, of our scientific potential, of private initiative and of start-up ecosystems in Bulgaria,” the President added.

 

Mr. Rumen Radev mentioned the 2019 NATO Summit, where he raised the issue of the increasing division between manufacturing countries that develop their economies and social systems by manufacturing high-tech defence products, exporting them to customer-countries, which, in turn buying them, invest in the economic systems of developed countries and lag behind in their socio-economic development. It is satisfying to see initial projects leading to overcoming this technological gap between the Member States through increasing industrial cooperation and technology exchange for every major deal in NATO 2030, further added President Rumen Radev. 

 

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.