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Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Mr Plamen Oresharski - Opening remarks

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

20 Jun. 2013

Joint press point

with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Mr Plamen Oresharski - Opening remarks

Prime Minister, it is a pleasure to welcome you to NATO Headquarters. Your visit so soon after your appointment shows that Bulgaria is strongly committed to our Alliance.

NATO’s core task, of course, is security. And Bulgaria has shown an impressive commitment to building security in Europe, and beyond.

Bulgarian troops are doing just that in Afghanistan, where they are helping to train the Afghan security forces. Just two days ago, Afghanistan’s army and police began taking the lead for the security in the very final provinces of the country. That is a real milestone, and Bulgaria helped to make it possible.

Bulgaria is also building security in Kosovo, where your servicemen and women are helping to train the Kosovo Security Force, and develop their civil protection capabilities.

And you are a keen supporter of NATO’s Building Integrity initiative, which helps to reduce the risk of corruption in the defence and security sector.

All these are valuable contributions, and I thank you for them.

Your commitment is even more valuable at a time when all Allies face tough financial choices. Bulgaria is a firm supporter of Smart Defence, our new guiding principle for working together to provide the capabilities this Alliance needs.

You support a shared project to provide C-17 heavy transport aircraft, a vital lifeline to our troops on operations. And you are one of a group of countries which will acquire five unarmed spotter drones, to allow NATO commanders to see over the horizon, in any weather, and at any time of day or night.

This is the sort of commitment we need. And we will continue to need it in the future, as we look to reverse the decline in defence spending, and move back towards healthy levels.

Prime Minister, let thank you again for your country’s contributions. And I look forward to your support and your commitment in the months and years to come.