On the second day of the defence ministers’ meeting of the NATO member countries, taking place against the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in and around Ukraine, Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Stefan Yanev reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine and Georgia and for their territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally-recognized borders. He encouraged them to maintain the policy of reform despite the challenges they are facing. In a statement, Minister Yanev also laid emphasis on the need to deepen cooperation between NATO and the EU in view of the need to supplement their functions.