NEWS

Rosen Plevneliev: NATO will be strong in spite of the financial constraints

President Rosen Plevneliev took part in the NATO heads of state and government session in Chicago. The leaders adopted a declaration on the capabilities and highlights of the NATO strategy to 2020.

A very strong political signal was sent that the union will be strong, despite the risks arising from financial constraints, President Plevneliev told Bulgarian media covering the forum in Chicago. The concept of smart defence is one of the mechanisms to overcome the risks to the abilities of NATO countries resulting from the reduction of public spending on defence. Specialisation, co-operation and co-ordination are essential, because only together can we be strong, he said. At the meeting, the President put Bulgaria's position in support of the concept, which provides for expertise, training and participation in joint projects.

Addressing NATO leaders, President Plevneliev emphasised strengthening the partnership between NATO countries, but with focus on their individual abilities. For Bulgaria, it is especially important for NATO to keep its doors open for expansion, he told journalists.

Following a meeting of head of state and government, the culmination was announced of the first stage of the development of a missile defence system, which fully covers the territory of Bulgaria.

Before the meeting on capabilities, President Plevneliev was greeted by US President Barack Obama and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Tomorrow, heads of state and government will discuss the strategy of the alliance on Afghanistan. The commitments of NATO member states to security in the country beyond 2014 are expected to be clarified.

Bulgaria is a transparent and reliable partner, and if there is a change in the strategy of our country, the first to understand are Bulgarian citizens and partners in the alliance, the President underlined in response to a journalist's question.

President Rosen Plevneliev held brief meetings with Prime Ministers of Netherlands and Norway, Mark Rutte and Mark Jens Stoltenberg.