At a conference dedicated to the 75 years since the creation of NATO, the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov summarized the decisions made during the meeting held between 9 and the July 11 Washington Summit. “The next package is expected to be much more demanding and difficult to achieve in terms of number of targets. In our estimation, this will require a significant increase in the defense budget, which may reach 2.5% of GDP, he explained. This could happen as early as 2025
Bulgaria supported the decisions on the strengthening of the deterrence and defense potential of the Alliance. There is also progress on establishing a multinational division headquarters on our territory as part of the NATO force structure.
„There is the joint work of Bulgaria with the neighboring countries for the formation of the Regional Command of Special Operations and for the creation of corridors for military mobility on our territory and the improvement of the quality of the support provided in its role as the host country,” said the minister.
Decisions on the defense and deterrence potential of the Alliance include:
- providing the necessary forces, capabilities, resources and infrastructure for the implementation of the new defense plans;
- conducting more frequent and large-scale exercises;
- integration of forward deployed NATO ground forces into defense plans;
- strengthening capabilities to move, augment, supply and sustain our forces, including through effective and sustainable logistics and development of mobility corridors and more.
A renewed commitment to defense investment of at least 2% of GDP was also reaffirmed in Washington, emphasizing that additional funds are needed to ensure the feasibility of defense plans.
Minister Zapryanov also indicated that the unwavering commitment of the member countries to the transatlantic relationship and to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, and the view that Ukraine's future is in NATO, were also confirmed at the meeting.
Regarding the strengthening of support for Ukraine, decisions have been made to launch a NATO security assistance and training mechanism for Ukraine:
- committed to long-term assistance to Ukraine in providing military equipment, support and training;
- construction of a Joint NATO-Ukraine Center for analysis, training and preparation and opening of a new position for a senior civilian representative of NATO in Ukraine
Minister Zapryanov emphasized that Bulgaria supports the entire package of measures to help Ukraine to be able to defend itself against Russian aggression, achieve full interoperability of its armed forces and move closer to membership in the Alliance. The minister is expected to submit the proposal for a new aid package for Ukraine to the Council of Ministers today
A special guest at the conference was the US ambassador to Bulgaria, Kenneth Merten. He explained that one of the main benefits for Bulgaria from joining the Alliance is a double GDP growth, a significant increase in the attraction of foreign investments and tourism, and a deepening of regional integration. Ambassador Merten also pointed out that the salary in our country has increased by more than 65% in the last 20 years. “For the first time, the Bulgarian economy and Bulgaria were qualified by the World Bank as a country with high incomes. Bulgaria has overtaken Hungary in this per capita indicator according to Eurostat data, added the ambassador.
As for the defense, it “ "Our collective work to secure our defense and future is not over," the American ambassador said. “This moment is critical for NATO. The answer lies in the very principles of NATO. Today the world is facing many challenges and keeping the peace has never been more important, and NATO is the only structure that can protect our collective security, prosperity and quality of life,” he categorically stated.
Ambassador Merten emphasized that NATO has no plans to become part of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian occupation of Ukraine does not offer peace. It must be stopped. NATO does not intervene in the conflict, but it is important that member countries help Ukraine so that it can defend itself. Ambassador Merten, described as “generous” the politics of Bulgaria.
„To secure our future, we must help Ukraine defend itself, and the democratic world continues to heed that call. Our new collective commitment confirms our collective intention to maintain our stable support for Ukraine until 2026, Merten recalled.