America News Agency

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev assessed the work of the teams that assisted seafarers in distress in the Black Sea and said the country's capability to counter unmanned systems in its airspace and maritime domain needs to be developed.

Radev thanked the crew of the Bulgarian-flagged DIOSCURIA, as well as the Bulgarian Navy, Air Force, Border Police, Varna Maritime Rescue Center and medical teams that took part in the rescue operation, saying, “I thank the crew of the DIOSCURIA and the rescue teams for their professional work in assisting seafarers in distress in the Black Sea.”

Radev said building Bulgaria's capability to counter unmanned systems in its airspace and maritime domain requires time, continuity, systematic work and significant financial resources. He said these resources had not been provided until now and noted that the relevant process had only just begun.

Radev said Bulgaria was one of the first countries to join the European Sky Shield initiative and added that new investments to strengthen the country's air defense are also on the agenda. He announced that an investment expenditure project for the purchase of five additional surface-to-air missile systems had been approved.

Regarding spending on war and armament, Radev said, “I believe that pouring money into war and endless rearmament is far more expensive than diplomacy and efforts to find a lasting peace solution. This government will continue to work in this direction.”