Stoltenberg:We appreciate that Bulgaria contributes to security in the Black Sea

The creation of a NATO Naval Coordination Centre in Varna was discussed on December 12 by Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Borissov and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The two met at the headquarters of the Pact in Brussels.

Jens Stoltenberg commented that NATO would take note of Bulgaria's proposal to host a naval coordination center in the coastal city of Varna. According to him, these functions are currently being carried out by NATO Naval Headquarters in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Borissov first discussed the idea of a coordination centre on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast with US President Trump.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: We appreciate the fact that Bulgaria is strongly committed to security in the Black Sea region. Your country contributes to this security in various ways.

According to Borissov, the role of this centre will be deterrent.

Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria: We do not press for a coordination centre. We still have coordination functions. Five exercises were carried out this year in the Black Sea.

Borissov also commented that dialogue with Russia should be maintained

Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria: This is why I am working so actively for the joint project for Belene Nuclear Power Plant and for the Balkan Stream. They know it in the White House, in NATO, in the EU. We do nothing secretly. This is the balance that enables Bulgaria to play a key role in both the region and the Black Sea.

Stoltenberg welcomes the fact that this year Bulgaria spends more than 3% of its GDP on defence.