Prime Minister Zhelyazkov and von der Leyen visited a defense plant in Sopot

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov and von der Leyen visited a defense factory

Today, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen visited one of the most important defense enterprises in Bulgaria – "Vazovskski Mashinostroitelni Zavodi" EAD in Sopot. The visit, which was announced by the press office of the Council of Ministers, underscores the strengthened cooperation between Bulgaria and the European Union in the field of security.

The visit is part of a wider tour by the President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen, who is traveling through countries located along the eastern border of the European Union. Her tour, which also includes Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania, is seen as a clear sign of Brussels' support for member states facing the challenges arising from their shared borders with Russia and Belarus.

The Press and Media Department of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria announced that the purpose of these visits is to emphasize EU solidarity in the context of growing geopolitical tension.

Meeting dedicated to European security

During their visit to Sopot, Zhelyazkov and von der Leyen held a working meeting dedicated to key issues related to European security and defense. The discussions took place against the backdrop of the complex challenges facing Europe, including Russian aggression and the efforts of the Moscow regime to destabilize regional security. After the meeting, the two high-ranking officials toured the factory's production facilities to get a closer look at its capabilities.

Briefing for journalists

At the end of their engagement, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov and EC President von der Leyen gave a brief briefing to accredited journalists. Representatives of the media, who were awaiting their statements, were fully aware of the importance of the event for the future of the defense industry in Bulgaria and its place in the common European security strategy.