Karadjov: Strong Army, Strong State
At an international conference in Sofia on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov emphasized that a strong army and modern defence industry are vital for a strong state, CE Report quotes BTA
Speaking at the event titled New Realities in Foreign Policy, Defence and the Defence Industry, Karadjov stated, “Security is now a fragile necessity. Russian aggression in Ukraine has shattered illusions that peace in Europe can be built on compromises with autocratic regimes.”
He underlined that Bulgaria treats defence as a national priority, not just a technical matter. “We support Ukraine because we support peace, security, and freedom,” he said, adding that Bulgaria will continue to provide military and technical assistance.
Karadjov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to NATO, stressing the need for active participation and increased defence spending. “We’re not buying weapons for NATO — we’re equipping our army. Defence spending of 2.5–3% of GDP is essential,” he said.
He also advocated for European defence financing mechanisms, including a "budget buffer" initiative proposed by Bulgaria. “We aim to build an industry that creates jobs, exports, and drives innovation,” he concluded.
The conference gathered officials from Bulgaria, the EU, and NATO, along with defence and economic experts to discuss how foreign policy shifts are shaping defence and economic strategies globally.
