What was granted is in the top three of Ukraine’s requests, Dimitar Stoyanov also said
We will categorically not send troops to Ukraine. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov commented this to Bulgaria ON AIR.
“The purpose of the visit of the European Commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, was solely to assess the possibility of increasing the production capacity of our defense industry in view of the need for the production of ammunition to replenish the stocks of EU and NATO member states” , he commented.
“The European Commissioner’s proposal also has another meaning – the creation of new jobs and, accordingly, that production taxes remain in Bulgaria,” he added.
The Minister of Defense explained that in order to replenish the stocks of ammunition, the production of mainly 155 mm projectiles should be increased.
“The Bulgarian army does not use such projectiles yet, but with its modernization, the caliber of the ammunition used will also be changed.
We are future consumers and the preparation of such a production would help the army to create its necessary stocks of ammunition,” Minister Stoyanov pointed out.
“Until the end of January, Bulgaria provided the Ukrainian side with weapons and ammunition under the agreement with Ukraine, ratified by the National Assembly.
What was granted is in the top three of Ukraine’s requests,” recalled Minister Stoyanov. The Ministry of Defense has also provided humanitarian aid in the amount of BGN 7 million, 50-60% of which is to be reimbursed by the European Union fund.
“There is no additional agreement to send weapons to Ukraine, the official cabinet strictly implements the decisions of the National Assembly,” he pointed out.
“We will categorically not send troops to Ukraine. The interpretations of the changes in the Law on Defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria were extremely unsuccessful in a complex pre-election situation”.
Thus, the Minister of Defense commented on attempts to manipulate public opinion by providing wrong information, playing on people’s fears.
“Funds for the Bulgarian army should not be cut”, the Minister of Defense was categorical on the subject of the budget. “Bulgaria has a national plan for 2% of GDP for defense in 2024.
In 2023, this rate is 1.85%. The national plan has also been presented to our NATO allies and I hope it will be implemented,” he said and again pointed out that 2% of the GDP will not be enough for the modernization of the Bulgarian army.
“Our allies are already commenting that 2% should be the lowest level. We must strive to look in the perspective of increasing defense spending. The modernization of the Bulgarian Army cannot be stopped,” he said.
On another current topic – the protection of the state border, Dimitar Stoyanov announced that currently more than 400 military personnel are helping their colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The Bulgarian army provides assistance with both transport and additional means for logistics. 110 km of the fence along the state border have been repaired, and restoration work continues.
The Minister of Defense pointed out that an increase in migrant flows is expected and the assistance provided by the Bulgarian Army to guard the state border will continue after April.
“The pressure on our border is significant. Technical means are needed, which must be located along the border – video surveillance systems, sensors, etc.,” pointed out Minister Stoyanov.
“The chances of providing financial resources from the EU for retrofitting the Bulgarian border are extremely high.
Over 100 km. from the border are not protected by technical means, but they need financial resources. We should not forget the fact that this border is not only Bulgarian, it is an external border of the EU as well, and the maintenance costs should be shared,” he noted.
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