NEWS

 

President Rumen Radev held a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is visiting the Novo Selo training ground today to get acquainted with the activities of the Multinational Battle Group with Italy as the host country. 

 

During the talks, the two discussed the challenges related to the complicated security environment in Eastern Europe and the need to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Alliance member states in the region. The Head of State underlined the actions Bulgaria has undertaken to modernise the Armed Forces and said that he expects the Bulgarian National Assembly and the government to continue supporting this process. The President also called for the expedient construction of the NATO oil pipeline in Eastern Europe, which will increase the security of energy supplies in the region. 

 

For his part, Rutte underlined Bulgaria's contribution to the collective security system and the importance of the modernisation process of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and highlighted the high professionalism of the Bulgarian service people. In view of the serious geopolitical challenges the Alliance is facing, Rutte called on the member states to accept a higher percentage of the agreed minimum expenditure in the national budgets for the modernisation of the armed forces and the enhancement of their defence capabilities.

 

At the meeting, members of the European audit institution briefed the head of state on the key points of the 12 opinions on the proposed EU budget as a whole, as well as on the sectoral policies contained therein.

The successes of the athletes and their coaches prove that there is no barrier to human potential when there is perseverance, ambition and support, the president says

The active participation of the Bulgarian defence industry will strengthen the capabilities of the EU and NATO, said Iliana Iotova at a meeting with the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova