During an official meeting with NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelezkov emphasized the strategic necessity of reviewing the country's defense priorities. The discussion took place in the context of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, which will determine key guidelines for collective defense.
A central focus of the conversation was the plans to increase investments in the defense sector. NATO set an ambitious goal to allocate 5% of gross domestic product for defense activities by 2035, with this commitment including 3.5% directly for defense and 1.5% for related investments.
Zhelezkov firmly stated that Bulgaria will continue to support strengthening the alliance's deterrent and defensive capabilities, especially on the Eastern Flank and in the Black Sea region. This stance is directly related to the current geopolitical instability caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine.
In the context of international cooperation, the Prime Minister highlighted Bulgaria's active participation in several multinational initiatives. These include the Multinational Battle Group led by Italy, the Regional Special Operations Command Headquarters jointly with Romania, and the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Group formed with the participation of Romania and Turkey.
Zhelezkov confirmed Bulgaria's unwavering support for Ukraine, ruling out any territorial concessions that could legitimize Russian aggression. This position was presented as part of a broader commitment to collective security and solidarity.
European defense initiatives were also discussed during the meeting, including opportunities provided by the recently published "White Paper on European Defense Readiness 2030" and the new European SAFE instrument. Zhelezkov expressed support for enhanced coordination between NATO and the European Union.
Additional perspectives for industrial cooperation with strategic partners such as the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, and countries from the Indo-Pacific region were emphasized. This multilateral approach aims to strengthen collective defensive capability and technological potential.
The new National Defense Plan, which is set to be developed, is expected to reflect all these strategic guidelines and international commitments while addressing contemporary national security challenges.