Europe’s security begins in Ukraine, Bulgaria poised to lead in arms supply — EU’s Costa

Euronews reported the information.

Costa’s visit to Bulgaria comes at a key moment for the country — after its entry into the Schengen area and ongoing preparations to join the eurozone.

The European Council President visited Arsenal, a major Bulgarian producer of firearms and ammunition. After the visit, he said Bulgaria could become a major supplier of defense products for all of Europe.

“The security of Europe starts in Ukraine. The security of Europe and Ukraine can not be separated. We took the decision to significantly increase our investments in defence. To invest more in defence means to invest more in our economy and capacity for research and innovation,” he said.

Costa urged that all member states fully mobilize their potential to ensure the success of the EU’s defense program.

“Bulgaria has good conditions to have a key role in this process. Not only to provide Bulgarian necessities but also to provide and to be a great supplier of defence capabilities of other European countries,” the EU Council President said.

He also suggested that stronger defense investments in the EU could improve the overall competitiveness of Europe’s economy.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov confirmed that Sofia plans to increase the share of defense spending in the national GDP.

“This year, defence spending exceeds 2% of GDP. The government's intention is to further increase this spending by making use of the option to activate the clause that allows rearmament projects, implemented under EU joint procurement initiatives, to be excluded from the budget deficit,” he noted.

The report also mentions that Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Bulgaria around the same time as the EU Council President, as part of his European tour. His meetings with Bulgarian business figures were held behind closed doors.

Trump Jr. declined media access, saying he was “not in the mood for photos.” Despite the closed-door format, reports said that he met with Boyko Borissov, leader of GERB, the largest party in Bulgaria’s parliament. No details of their talks were disclosed.

• In February, the Bulgarian parliament passed a declaration banning the participation of Bulgarian armed forces in hostilities in Ukraine, and calling for a lasting and just peace.