07.09.2025
Bulgaria’s active role in NATO and in collective defense is the guarantee for our national security and for strengthening our defense capabilities, said Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov at his meeting with the NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska. At the discussion in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister pointed out that Bulgaria would adhere to all decisions of the NATO Summit in the Hague that Mr. Jeliazkov personally attended, viz. to strengthen deterrence and defense of the Eastern Flank, especially in the Black Sea, to increase defense investment, to continue our collective support for Ukraine and to consolidate our partnerships.
“Bulgaria is constantly among the NATO allies that with their consistent actions uphold and strengthen its unity,” said the Deputy Secretary General of NATO. “Your country has an exceptional potential for the development of the defense industry and the latest initiatives related to the SAFE instrument and your recently announced contract with Rheinmetall are an indicative example to that effect,” she emphasized.
Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov pointed out that Bulgaria has already reached the target of over 2% of the GDP in defense spending and there is a political consensus for a gradual increase to 5% of the GDP within the preset period – 2035. We are also currently implementing a number of modernization projects focused on the purchase of modern weapons systems for the three types of armed forces: new armored fighting vehicles Stryker, two Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels (MMPV) for the NAVY. The delivery of F-16 Fighting Falcons is in progress. Work is underway to acquire modern artillery and highly mobile missile systems, 3D radars, air and missile defense systems, coastal defense systems, etc.
Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov emphasized Bulgaria’s efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense position on the Eastern Flank and in the Black Sea region. As a good example of successful cooperation with allies, Mr. Jeliazkov singled out the Multinational Battlegroup in Bulgaria with Italy as framework nation and contributions from several allies, including the Republic of North Macedonia. Along with that, the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group contributes significantly to ensure the safety and freedom of shipping. Regarding regional security, including NATO and EU military mobility, Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov emphasized the importance of Pan-European Corridor VIII, connecting the Adriatic Sea from Italy, via Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, to Bulgaria on the Black Sea. This project is vital, inter alia, for the economic growth of the wider region, including the Western Balkans, the Prime Minister said and expressed his expectation that the Allies would do their part without delay.
Future security guarantees for Ukraine were likewise discussed at today’s meeting where Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov was firm that they should include sustained support by European and trans-Atlantic partners. Bulgaria stands ready to provide such guarantees as part of the efforts of the Coalition of the Willing: for instance, in the maritime domain with joint mine countermeasures operations within the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group and in the aerial domain we can provide airspace and host country support for the coalition troops. Mr. Jeliazkov recognized NATO’s leading role in the PURL initiative which allows for the supply of US military equipment to Ukraine.
At his meeting with Radmila Shekerinska Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov expressed concern about the continuing unstable security situation in the Western Balkans that is characterized by political polarization, interethnic tension and institutional deficits that is further exacerbated by malign influence and hybrid activities by external actors. The Prime Minister was firm it is of key importance to strengthen strategic communication both through NATO and bilaterally. Mr. Jeliazkov stressed that Bulgaria is earnestly committed to peace in the region and will continue its contribution to KFOR and EUFOR-Althea.
The visit of the NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska is within the 20th NATO Emergency Management Exercise taking place in Bulgaria from 7 to 12 September. The exercise is organized and conducted jointly by the NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center and the Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate General of the Ministry of Interior.
