„We are aware of the importance of the Black Sea region for the European and Euro-Atlantic security architecture. The unstable Black Sea region directly threatens the peace and prosperity of the North Atlantic community. The correct approach to the strategic situation, based on an analysis of the risks and ways to deal with them, will help us generate and restore security and stability in the region.“ This was said by the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov today, May 23, in his speech at the forum „Security in the Black Sea and the Balkan Region“, which is taking place in Bucharest, Romania.
Minister Zapryanov emphasizes the geostrategic importance of the Black Sea region for the security of Europe and Asia. Among the risks that influence instability, he highlighted the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine, the fragility of democratic systems, uneven economic development, energy dependence, etc.
“We must be ready to deal with long-term instability in the Black Sea, where Russia poses a direct threat to every Black Sea state and the Euro-Atlantic area as a whole. A regional strategy is urgently needed to deal with this reality, in which the main focus should be on the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and Bulgaria will actively participate in turning such a strategy into reality“, the Minister of Defense was categorical. He noted that in the context of the collective response to the deteriorating security environment, our country actively supports the strengthening of deterrence and defense on NATO's eastern flank.
In connection with the military mobility initiative, Minister Atanas Zapryanov highlighted the strategic importance of the construction of the Pan-European Corridor VIII, connecting Italy, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania, as well as the third bridge over the Danube River, connecting Ruse and Giurgiu as part of the new priority corridor Baltic Sea - Black Sea - Aegean Sea and the corridor between Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. These projects will contribute not only to strengthening the deterrence and defense of NATO's eastern flank, but also to the economic development of the Black Sea region.
„I am convinced that for the transatlantic community and the Black Sea countries the desired end state is clear - a stable region, integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community, in which the sovereignty of each country in the region is respected, international trade is developed and political stability is strengthened. Achieving this goal requires leadership, cooperation, investment and perseverance. Certainly, all these undertakings will be complemented by difficult decisions, adequate actions and a certain amount of courage“, the Minister of Defense concluded.
In the discussion on security in the Black Sea region, Minister Atanas Zapryanov participated together with the Minister of National Defense of Romania, Anzhel Talvar, the Minister of Defense of Moldova, Anatolie Nosati, and the Deputy Minister of Defense of Turkey, Shuay Alpay. They emphasized the importance of the Black Sea region for the security not only of the countries bordering the Black Sea, but also of the countries in the region and of Europe. The participants in the discussion highly appreciated the timely implementation of the initiative for the establishment of the Black Sea Mine Action Group and the work of the group.
Following his participation in the forum, the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov held a bilateral meeting with his Romanian counterpart, Anzhel Talvar, at the Ministry of National Defense of Romania. The Ministers of Defense of Bulgaria and Romania noted the progress achieved in the field of bilateral military cooperation since the visit of Anzhel Talvar to Sofia in April this year. The main topics of the talks were the joint efforts of the two countries within NATO and the EU in terms of military mobility. The importance of the new initiatives of the European Union for the development of the military capabilities of the two countries under the Rearmament Plan for Europe was emphasized. Both ministers agreed that to address the complex security issues associated with infrastructure development, an approach that engages all interested state institutions is necessary.