As the security landscape evolves, the security infrastructure will adapt. A minister of defense named Todor Tagarev made this statement, according to a BGNES reporter, during the international conference "Winning Peace in Ukraine" held at the Central Military Club.
Tagarev highlighted the most salient changes in the state of security.
Russia's aggressive behavior is the first cause. In 2008, a war was fought with Georgia, and in 2014, Crimea was annexed. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the climax of the violence, he added.
The minister emphasized that Bulgaria is committed to carrying out NATO's regional goals, which have an important bearing on the country's sense of safety.
Tagarev declared that preparations are being made by Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey to initiate a mine countermeasures operation.
Launching soon, it will help ensure the safety of grain shipments and the stability of our economic zone. He elaborated, saying, "Ukraine's participation is not foreseen at this time, but the door is open to include Georgia at a later stage."
Tagarev offered his thoughts on the Bulgarian military's intentions to upgrade equipment and technology through 2032. Plans for such initiatives, he claimed, are complete.
Minister Tagarev has stated that he would like to see defense expenditure rise to more than 2% of GDP by 2021.
Over the next three years, we expect growth of more than 2%. According to Tagarev, "after the meeting in Vilnius in July, this is already considered as a minimum."
The international security system is crumbling under Russia's aggressive policies. Long-term assistance to Ukraine is already being considered so that it may join NATO and the EU as soon as possible, he said. /BGNES
Tagarev is firm in his belief that Russia is still our country's greatest security risk. "With exercises in our economic zone, violation of free traffic in the Black Sea, the situation is already quite complicated," Tagarev stated.
When Ukraine finally succeeds in restoring its boundaries from 1991, there will be sustained peace. Without that, peace in the area is a pipe dream. He also cautioned that regaining all lost territory would not necessarily signal an end to Russian assault.
According to the Defense Minister, the Western Balkans are the region's second priority.
Unfortunately, there is no immediate way to guarantee safety. He said, "The situation in Kosovo is not improving."
Tagarev remembered that Bulgaria had sent an extra 120 troops to KFOR. This increases the size of the Bulgarian military presence in Kosovo to 150 troops.
Terrorism, he said, was a third element after Hamas attacks on Israel.
There might be more people moving here. There is now very little chance of the issue escalating. Tagarev said that by cooperating in this way, they are really helping their allies.
