Bulgaria regards NATO as an extremely important organization that defends the security of its member states and contributes to promoting stability in our region. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a joint news conference given together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. Rumen Radev emphasized that his visit to NATO headquarters within his first working visit abroad as Head of State, shows the importance that Bulgaria attaches to NATO as an organization of shared values and shared responsibilities to our collective security and defence.

 

“In the past three years NATO underwent serious adaptation and Bulgaria is part of this process. Such are the requirements set by the international situation,” the President said. Rumen Radev was adamant that Bulgaria would put the maximum effort into ensuring compliance with the decisions made at the Wales Summit and reach the required target of the two-percent share of budget allocations on defence of the GDP. “This is extremely important for the development of our capabilities and each NATO member-state should assume this commitment,” the Head of State further said and highlighted our country’s resolve to implement the projects on the modernization of the Armed Forces.

 

“For almost 13 years, Bulgaria has been a valued Ally, making many important contributions to our collective defence,” Jens Stoltenberg said and highlighted our country’s role in building NATO’s defence capabilities in the Black Sea region and also our country’s contribution to NATO’s peacekeeping missions in the region and in the world. “And in your previous role as commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, you helped to keep our airspace safe. And I know that you will remain committed to NATO and to our shared security now in your new role as President,” Jens Stoltenberg addressed President Rumen Radev. 

 

“For Bulgaria the participation in NATO’s military exercises is important not only for strengthening the security in our region, but also for increasing the combat capabilities of the Bulgaria Armed Forces,” Head of State Rumen Radev emphasized. 

 

Jens Stoltenberg assured that NATO will continue to strengthen its defense potential and support the member states in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea and in the region of Poland with a “package of measures” on land, at sea and in the air. “We don’t seek confrontation with Russia.  We don’t want a new Cold War, so our response is measured.  It is transparent and it is defensive,” Jens Stoltenberg emphasized. NATO Secretary General further said that in compliance with the decisions made at the NATO summit in Warsaw, the Alliance will seek to deepen the dialogue with Russia. “All the increase of the defense and deterrence posture of NATO should be hand in hand as Secretary General said with deepening the political dialogue with Russia in order to avoid confrontation and misunderstandings and to lower the risks,” President Radev also said. 

 

The two leaders shared the position that the NATO member-states should continue to pool efforts in their fight against international terrorism and the illegal trafficking of people.  Jens Stoltenberg voiced his support for Bulgaria’s role as a factor for strengthening European integration in the region and President Radev thanked for NATO’s contribution as a factor for enhancing the security in the region of the Western Balkans.   

 

Within his working visit, President Rumen Radev visited the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons. The Head of State held a meeting with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe Curtis Skaparrotti and met with the Bulgarian servicemen in the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.