Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria's Defence Minister says Bulgaria should turn from a consumer into a security provider

Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov
Photo: BGNES

If circumstances require, Bulgaria will have to work seriously with its NATO allies, Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov said after the NATO emergency meeting. "There is no way we can fill deficits without working with our NATO allies on our territory," he stressed. Dragomir Zakov described as "critical" the situation in the Bulgarian Air Force and added that in the long run Bulgaria would have to turn from a security consumer into a security provider.

The Minister did not rule out the possibility of Bulgaria requesting an increase in the Alliance's presence in the event of a deepening conflict in Ukraine. 
"If the crisis develops and directly threatens Bulgaria, there are measures for a serious presence on Bulgarian territory," he said. According to him, we are currently relying on a battle group with a multinational element, led by Bulgaria and under the control of the Commander-in-Chief of NATO forces in Europe. 
Requests to join the battle group from a number of countries will be announced soon, the minister said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

MoD Atanas Zapryanov: First eight F-16s to arrive next year

Bulgaria will receive the first eight of the contracted sixteen F-16 Block 70 aircraft next year, caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov announced in Dolna Mitropolia. Two aircraft will arrive at the end of March and the remaining six at the end of..

published on 11/14/24 4:25 PM

NSI: GDP grew by 2.2% yoy in the third quarter

Bulgaria's economy grew by 2.2% year on year in the third quarter , according to the National Statistical Institute's (NSI) flash estimate. Final consumption expenditure grew by 4.6%, imports of goods and services by 1.9% and exports by 0.1%...

published on 11/14/24 3:34 PM

EC takes Bulgaria and Romania to court over wastewater directive

The European Commission is taking Bulgaria and Romania to the European Court of Justice for failing to fully comply with wastewater collection and treatment obligations. Both countries have received substantial EU funding under the cohesion policy,..

published on 11/14/24 3:14 PM