“I welcome Bulgaria’s commitment to allocate at least 2 percent of its GDP to defence spending in the coming years, which will translate into more combat aircraft, fighter jets, patrol ships and infantry fighting vehicles. This will increase security in Bulgaria and make NATO stronger,” NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, who is on a visit to Bulgaria, said here on Friday. 

Russia continues to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine, Geoana said. Russia’s dangerous actions are a serious threat to security in the Black Sea region. NATO and allies have stepped up their surveillance and reconnaissance efforts in the Black Sea, including through naval patrol aircraft, NATO’s AWACS aircraft and drones, he said. “I am very pleased that Bulgaria is working in cooperation with Turkiye and Romania to counter floating mines in the Black Sea,” the NATO Deputy Secretary General said. 

Together with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, Geoana observed on Friday the demonstrations within the Iron Strike 2023 exercise of the Bulgaria-hosted multinational battlegroup led by Italy.

Interviewed by BTA on the eve of the visit, Deputy SG Geoana vowed that NATO will continue to support and protect its Black Sea allies Romania, Bulgaria and Turkiye. He thanked Bulgaria for its contribution to the bloc.