America News Agency

According to a statement by the Bulgarian Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who attended the NATO Summit in Ankara, said that the military operations in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated that ensuring the security of their own citizens is an indispensable responsibility for European countries and requires systematic action.

Prime Minister Radev noted that the summit is taking place at a key moment of transformation, reflecting the determination of European member states to contribute more to common defense capabilities.

Stating that Bulgaria has become a source of stability in the Black Sea region by strengthening its national defense capabilities, Radev said, "Our country is focused on increasing its own defense capabilities and developing our defense industry and scientific capacity."

Referring to NATO's goal of allocating 5 percent of GDP to defense, Radev emphasized that for Bulgaria this target includes not only conventional military capabilities but also investments in infrastructure, connectivity, digital resilience, and cybersecurity.

Radev also stressed that the Defense Industries Forum, held as part of the summit, provides an important opportunity to overcome fragmentation within the European defense industry.