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President Radev: I’m not in a rush to join the fanfare surrounding rearmament

Bulgaria's president Rumen Radev.
Photo: BGNES

In light of the EU's recently announced plan to rearm Europe, President Rumen Radev told journalists that he had always advocated a more responsible approach to security, both by Europe and by Bulgaria. 

"The modernisation of the Bulgarian Army and the strengthening of the defence industry should be a top, constant and conscious commitment of every government, instead of waiting for instructions from Brussels," the president stressed. He noted that during the last summit in Brussels, much was said about rearmament, but almost nothing about ending the war in Ukraine, a war that is dragging Europe down.
"I am in no hurry to join the fanfare surrounding the EU's rearmament plan. There's a whirlwind of enthusiasm, and many think there will be 800 billion for investment in defence and the defence industry. But let's be clear - such funds do not exist. There will be loans and the possibility of renouncing structural and cohesion funds, which means that you'll give up water supply projects, infrastructure, environment and social projects, and redirect these funds to the defence industry," the head of state said.

Rumen Radev expressed his expectation that the Bulgarian government would take a responsible and critical approach to the country's commitments on this issue.



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