SOFIA – Achieving a fair and lasting peace hinges on ensuring security for Ukraine and the European Union (EU). This assertion was made by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov following a meeting of the Security Council convened by the Council of Ministers. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the geopolitical landscape and the associated threats to national security.
The impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on geopolitical dynamics is unmistakable, influencing various events across Europe. Prime Minister Zhelyazkov emphasized that Bulgaria cannot afford to find itself in a position, whether actively or passively, where it must choose its stance on the conflict amidst the differing positions expressed by the EU and the USA. We consider both as allies in NATO and shared guarantors of our national security, he stated.
During the meeting, the participants reviewed a range of potential threats to Bulgaria’s national security. Zhelyazkov highlighted discussions around the REARM initiative from the European Commission, which offers various avenues for support: establishing a special fund to assist member states in revitalizing their military industries; utilizing national budget provisions to relax deficit rules; and exploring the use of the Cohesion Fund and other EU resources for financial support.
It is crucial for us to leverage these opportunities to advance our defense industry, ensuring better collaboration between public and private entities within the sector, the Prime Minister added.
Zhelyazkov is set to attend an extraordinary session of the European Council in Brussels later this week, where discussions will focus on the European Commission’s defense proposals and the latest developments regarding the war in Ukraine. (03/04/2025)
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