Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 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

Warm but cloudy weather with precipitation in mountainous regions

On Wednesday there will be scattered clouds, which will thicken up in the afternoon. In the Balkan Mountain and the massifs in south-western Bulgaria, light rainfalls can be expected. The lowest temperatures will be between 8° and..

published on 9/17/24 6:45 PM
Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov (R) and US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten.

US to help Bulgaria meet visa waiver criteria

Bulgaria's inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme was discussed at a meeting today between Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov and US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten. "Bulgaria's inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme is of the utmost importance and..

published on 9/17/24 6:02 PM

Reactions to Bulgaria's portfolio in the European Commission - from satisfaction to disappointment

Bulgarian Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva will be given the portfolio "Start-ups, Research and Innovation" in the next European Commission. This was announced today in the European Parliament by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Later, in a..

published on 9/17/24 5:31 PM