We expect the next vote of no confidence to be submitted in the coming days, which will be in the field of defense. This was said by the Minister of Defense Prof. Todor Tagarev, who opened the second edition of the conference “Technologies against disinformation 2.0”.
Minister Tagarev emphasized that disinformation is only one of the tools of the hybrid war. In his words, the conflict between “Hamas” and the State of Israel is an example of how subjugation of public opinion becomes the main tool, and military force has a subordinate role.
Tagarev commented that in the last year there has been a problem with the staffing of the army and as the main reason for this he pointed to the disinformation campaign undertaken by some native politicians, which claimed that the army would be sent to fight in Ukraine.
This year we had 35% fewer applicants compared to 2022 for the Vasil Levski National Military University in Veliko Tarnovo and 45% fewer enrolled cadets. In reality, the places that were filled are 22% of those required for the army. This is directly related to the disinformation campaign towards the defense services, Tagarev stressed.
My positions are very clear and they are that Bulgaria needs a stable defense and defense capabilities that are as well integrated as possible together with those of our allies, so that we can guarantee the security and defense of the country, Prof. Tagarev told journalists for his position on the motion of no confidence.
Looking more strategically and geopolitically, Bulgaria’s interest is for Ukraine to resist Russian aggression and be able to restore its territorial integrity within the borders of 1991, he said. Tagarev pointed out that this will be another good opportunity for him and the cabinet to once again publicly explain the defense policy they are pursuing for a more solid defense and greater security for Bulgaria and its citizens. There are many indicators for this – a sharply increased budget, accelerated modernization of the army, higher salaries for people in the defense and many others, added the minister.
Regarding the upcoming rotation of the cabinet in March, Tagarev commented that in the first place for him is the investment program, which should be reviewed next week at the Defense Council and then at the Council of Ministers. In addition, the Strategic Review, in which we comprehensively examine all the problems in their interrelationship – not only armaments, but also the problem with people, defense management, command structure, added Tagarev and explained that the ambition to submit its results to the Council of Ministers by February.
There are no problems with the solution for the Stryker machines, Defense Minister Todor Tagarev also commented to journalists. He responded to a journalistic question related to a speech by GERB leader Boyko Borisov in Lovech, in which he stated that the government had decided on the project without a decision of the National Assembly.
In connection with the project for the acquisition of combat vehicles, Tagarev assured that they acted as quickly and expeditiously as possible, both in the Ministry of Defense and in the Council of Ministers. The project for investment expenditure is in the National Assembly (NA), it passed as a matter of urgency through the two leading committees to which it was directed – the Defense Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee, Tagarev pointed out.
What the Council of Ministers decided last week is to approve one of the contracts for the implementation of this project and determine who will sign it. So let’s not waste technological time, and the moment the National Assembly approves the investment expenditure project, let’s start signing the contract, which is subject to ratification by the Parliament. This contract will not be signed without a decision of the National Assembly approving the investment expenditure project, added the minister.
There are no violations, on the contrary – we are working so that this contract can happen this year, if the National Assembly approves it, if it does not approve it, there will be no such project, he pointed out. Minister Tagarev also said that he hopes, if everything goes normally, in the first days of December, the parliament will discuss the ratification of this contract.
Regarding the budget for the “Defense” sector, the minister commented that the budgetary macro-framework is clear and it ensures the fulfillment of the commitment to achieve 2 percent of GDP for defense next year. Tagarev added that the wages of those employed in the sector have already been increased by 10 percent and now a new increase is planned for next year. According to Minister Tagarev, the money for the Stryker machines will be provided from the deferred payment budget until 2027.
2023-11-07 09:41:11
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