Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov welcomed the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a one-day visit to Bulgaria as part of her tour of seven countries located in close proximity to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This was announced by the Council of Ministers on its Facebook page.
The common European defense capability and Bulgaria's contribution will be the focus of the Prime Minister's conversation with Von der Leyen.
Prime Minister Zhelyazkov will familiarize the President of the European Commission with the defense capacity of our country and the actions taken for its development and technological renewal. The two will visit VMZ-Sopot, where the Prime Minister will present some of Bulgaria's accumulated experience and traditions in the military industry.
Zhelyazkov and Von der Leyen will also discuss the opportunities for Bulgaria under the European Security Mechanism SAFE, including the preparation of the construction of the two new production facilities, for which the government is partnering with the largest defense concern “Rheinmetall“.
Ursula von der Leyen is touring the countries on the eastern border of the EU - Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Romania, announced the "Press and Media" Department of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria. President Von der Leyen's visit will highlight the EU's support for member states facing the challenges of their common borders with Russia and Belarus.