The contingent of the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo has been welcomed with a solemn ceremony in Blagoevgrad, BTA reports. In his welcome address, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov congratulated the servicemen on the successful completion of the mission and added that the participation of contingents of the armed forces in such operations is an expression of the Bulgarian policy, which prioritizes the Western Balkans.

“You were our ambassadors in a multinational environment and showed that the Bulgarian Army has the capabilities to contribute to peacekeeping operations and, if necessary, collective defense operations,” Atanas Zapryanov said.

The minister pointed out that we live in time, in which our armed forces, in addition to peacekeeping operations are also preparing for defense of our territory and that of the Alliance. He recalled that the government assigned him a commitment to declare through the European Commission a minimum and maximum threshold of financial resources under its mechanism, which are respectively 2.7 billion euros and just over 3 billion euros. The money will be spent over the next 4 years on the modernization of the armed forces.

Editor: Diana Tsankova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photo: BTA