NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived Thursday at the Novo Selo training area to get acquainted with the activities of the Multinational Battle Group with Italy as framework nation and Bulgaria as host nation.
Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov and the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov conferred with the NATO Secretary General.
Bulgaria plays a key role in NATO’s security, both in the Black Sea region and beyond, Rutte said at a joint briefing with Zapryanov and Kondov at the training area later in the day.
During the news briefing, Zapryanov said that Bulgaria needs to increase its military spending if it wants to equip its army with personnel and modern weapons. “The increase in salaries for military personnel starting from next year is absolutely necessary, and I once again urge the Bulgarian Parliament to support the budget,” the Defense Minister added.
Kondov expressed hope that the Multinational Battle Group will be upgraded to a brigade and that Bulgaria will meet all its commitments, including spending 2% of GDP on defence.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Press Secretariat Bulgarian said that President Rumen Radev and NATО Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed the security environment and challenges over the phone.
The two leaders discussed the challenges related to the complicated security environment in Eastern Europe and the need to strengthen the defence capabilities of the allies. The Bulgarian head of State underscored the steps Bulgaria has taken to modernize its Armed Forces and said that the new Parliament and the government are expected to further this process. The President also called for fast construction of a NATO oil pipeline in Eastern Europe, which will enhance the security of energy supplies in the region.
The NATO Secretary General stressed Bulgaria’s contribution to the collective security system and the importance of modernizing the Bulgarian Armed Forces. He underscored the high professionalism of Bulgarian service persons. Considering the serious geopolitical challenges facing the Alliance, Rutte urged the member states to aim at higher spending targets for defence modernization and enhancement of the defence capabilities.
Mark Rutte took office as NATO Secretary General on October 1. He was Prime Minister of the Netherlands for 14 years, between 2010 and 2024.
