03.02.2025
It is too early to talk about additional increases in defense expenditure, as some countries have not reached the target of 2% of GDP. This was stated by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov before the opening of the informal retreat of EU Heads of State or Government in Brussels. European defense will be the focus of today’s discussions. The Prime Minister emphasized that Bulgaria has surpassed the EU targets and recalled that with the purchase of the F-16 fighter jets the country achieved the 3% of GDP for defense expenditure. Another important point made by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov was the dual use of transport infrastructure, with Corridor 8, the Adriatic Sea-the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea-the Black Sea connection being the key segments especially for Bulgaria. Regarding cohesion policy, the Prime Minister noted that this is a tool that, especially in the context of the enlargement to integrate the Western Balkans, should not be used for the reallocation of funds and should remain for cohesion policies.
In his answer to a question from a media about the 2025 national budget, Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov commented that the cabinet’s effort seeks to submit to the National Assembly a budget that meets the Maastricht criteria of a ceiling of 3% deficit and a maximum of 40% of GDP expenditure. “Let us hope that the Bulgarian Parliament will be sensible so that we remain within these parameters of stability and sound financial policy,” Mr. Jeliazkov said further. The Prime Minister emphasized that as of now, the cash related budget performance figures are clear, viz., last year’s disbursements. However, the expenditure items that have been invoiced but have not been paid up or those that have not been invoiced but a commitment has been made that they would be, are yet to become clear. “To draw up the budget, we urgently asked to know the situation on an accrual basis,” the Prime Minister noted and added that the Maastricht criterion regarding the deficit is measured precisely in keeping with the accrual basis liabilities. “The Eurozone is a priority matter,” Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said firmly and reiterated Bulgaria’s intention to request convergence reports. The schedule will be agreed after the Eurogroup meeting that will take place this month.
To the question about the Vezhen ship, Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov noted that the Bulgarian consul is in contact with the crew. The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the investigation would be concluded swiftly while he stressed that no claims had been made by the Bulgarian government concerning the case since it is a foreign-flagged vessel.
