SOFIA, March 7 (MENA) - Boosting defence industry capacity is extremely important for Europe, not only because of Europe's ability to defend its rights, freedoms and values won after World War Two, but also for Bulgaria, which has capabilities and can develop both markets and its own defence capacity," Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told journalists in Kazanlak during a visit to the Arsenal weapons manufacturer on Friday.

“The fact that we own such military enterprises, which produce both raw material and finished product, is a reason for national pride,” he was quoted by the Bulgarian news agency (BTA) as saying.

Zhelyazkov said that he had visited the state-owned VMZ-Sopot and Arsenal works in Kazanlak to see how production can be upgraded. "I am extremely impressed by what I have seen - there are a lot of opportunities and these opportunities are based on the European Industrial Defence Strategy and its programme, as well as on financing that will soon be available to the manufacturers in Europe," the Prime Minister said.

In his words, "we have to be the first, which is why we are also setting up a defence innovation centre”.

Zhelyazkov added that different ways of warfare imply different technologies. “Our defence industry must be flexible enough to be able to develop both in terms of quantity and in terms of the variety of products. This is best done when there is a supply chain that is uninterrupted and it is best to have our own production of materials," the Prime Minister said.

Bulgaria has about 30 high-tech enterprises in the industry and this cluster should be united in a common synergy, Zhelyazkov added.

In the Prime Minister's words, the process of rearmament and modernization of the Bulgarian army is an ongoing process.

Referring to US President Donald Trump's statement that he will not defend NATO Member States that do not spend enough on defence Zhelyazkov said that it is right when it comes to a collective defence system that shared responsibility should be the leading one. Zhelyazkov said: “I believe that we will maintain both our shape and our commitments as allies, as well as our declared participation with a higher percentage of GDP,” he said. According to him, each country should use its specifics - one is the specifics in Europe and the other is the specifics in the countries that are bordering Europe. These specificities are taken into account, but Bulgaria will continue to fulfill its commitments, the Prime Minister said.
(MENA)
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