Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Defense Minister: Reinstatement of mandatory service could be on the agenda if vacancies in the army are not filled

Photo: BTA

For now, we do not envisage and do not propose to the Bulgarian parliament to return the conscription military service, Caretaker Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov told BNR. He expressed the hope that with the increase in the salaries of the military personnel from next year, the interest in the army will also increase in order to fill the vacant positions.

"In this way, we stimulate voluntary military service", emphasized the minister. However, he specified that if the measure does not lead to a change in the near future, the issue of the return of mandatory military service may be on the agenda in Bulgaria as well.

Minimum defense spending should rise to 2.5% of the GDP, said Atanas Zapryanov. "The Russian aggression against Ukraine generates a need for much greater capabilities and this leads to an increase in military spending in some countries," he reasoned.

Regarding the military aid we provide to Ukraine, the minister said that all the necessary armaments and equipment for our army is available. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria becomes the 21st member of the Eurozone

The EU Council on Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) unanimously approved the final three acts enabling Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone. Earlier, MEPs in Strasbourg had adopted the report supporting Bulgaria’s admission to the euro area...

published on 7/8/25 3:25 PM
Zhecho Stankov

With pipes from India, Bulgaria accelerates construction of gas pipeline to Central Europe

 A second ship carrying pipes for the Vertical Gas Corridor project, which will connect Greece and Romania, has arrived at the Port of Burgas. Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov oversaw the delivery. "These 2,526 pipes from India..

published on 7/8/25 3:16 PM

EP rejected a request by an MEP from the Vazrazhdane party

Before approving Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone by an absolute majority, the European Parliament in Strasbourg rejected a request by a Vazrazhdane MEP for the vote to be postponed. The request was tabled by Rada Laykova, a member of the Europe..

published on 7/8/25 2:45 PM