17.12.2021
It is important to have synergies between civilian and military infrastructure. This is the statement made by Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Kiril Petkov after his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed that the country will continue to modernize its armed forces and to adapt them to NATO standards and said that our ambition is to increase our defense spending up to 2% of the GDP by 2024, including through investment in civilian dual-use infrastructure. Projects such as a future new bridge over the Danube near Rousse can contribute to that.
Bulgaria’s efforts and contribution to the stability in the Western Balkan region were exceptionally highly commended. The country is an important ally of special importance for the security in the Black Sea region, including in the context of the situation in and around Ukraine. The fact that Bulgaria reaffirmed its commitment to continue increasing the defense spending was highly appreciated, accordingly.
Unity and solidarity in NATO are exceptionally important and Bulgaria, as a member of the Alliance, will continue to strengthen its security as an integral part of collective defense.
