Bulgaria is recognized as a reliable NATO ally, contributing significantly to collective defense and security during its two decades of membership. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted this during a briefing in the Council of Ministers after his meeting with Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev.
Stoltenberg and Glavchev previously attended the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Sofia.
Bulgaria's increased defense spending last year was also noted. This financial commitment meets the NATO guidelines for allocating 2% of GDP to defense, which underlines Bulgaria's role as a reliable partner.
Discussions between Stoltenberg and Glavchev centered around the upcoming NATO summit in Washington in July, which will address security risks and the situation in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg emphasized NATO's supportive position towards Ukraine, clarifying that the alliance's assistance is not equivalent to participation in the conflict. Instead, NATO aims to prevent the escalation of war and supports Ukraine's right to self-defense without seeking confrontation with Russia.
Stoltenberg advocated an increase in arms production and a stronger role for NATO in global security, particularly with regard to Ukraine.
He stressed the need for more coordinated support for Ukraine, suggesting that NATO play a greater role in that coordination to ensure accountability and predictability.
The upcoming summit in Washington is seen as a crucial opportunity to reinforce NATO's commitment to support Ukraine.
The Secretary-General condemned Russia's violation of international law through its aggression in Ukraine, affirming the right of Ukrainians to defend themselves. He also highlighted NATO's increased presence in the Black Sea region, including battle groups in Romania and Bulgaria, to improve surveillance and readiness in response to potential threats.
In summary, Bulgaria's role in NATO is characterized by a strong commitment to defense spending and collective security, with an emphasis on supporting Ukraine and maintaining regional stability in the face of challenges.