Bulgaria, UK to sign bilateral defence co-operation plan

Bulgaria and the United Kingdom are set to sign a bilateral defence co-operation plan for 2025, Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said on October 24.

The announcement came after talks on October 24 between caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and British ambassador Nathaniel Copsey.

The statement said that Zapryanov expressed great appreciation for the bilateral co-operation in the field of defence and expressed confidence that efforts to achieve the goals of mutual interest and the fruitful partnership in the military sphere would continue to deepen.

The increase in the defence budget of both countries, the need to increase interoperability, as well as Nato’s concept of deterrence and defence were discussed, the Defence Ministry said.

Zapryanov emphasised Bulgaria’s commitment to ensuring security in the Black Sea region and the Western Balkans region and to continue support for Ukraine as long as necessary, in accordance with the decisions of the National Assembly.

He said that the processes of modernisation and rearmament of the Bulgarian Army are underway and the goal remains to increase defence capabilities.

The increased need to increase cyber defence capacity and improve methods and mechanisms to effectively counter hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns was also discussed, the ministry said.

Possibilities for upgrading the traditionally good level of joint training in the field of strategic communications were also discussed, it said.

The statement said that Copsey said that among the main priorities of the new UK government was the deepening of relations with the European Union, the fulfillment of assumed responsibilities to partner countries and increasing investments in the defence of the country.

(Photo of Copsey and Zapryanov: Defence Ministry)

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