Romanian President Iohannis Visits Bulgaria
"Bulgaria will support efforts to boost security in the region by words and actions, as this is in our strategic interest," said President Rosen Plevneliev during a joint news conference with Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, who is on a two-day official visit here.
The Bulgarian head of State said that the changed security environment has raised concerns and added that the Ukraine crisis calls for putting emphasis on the Black Sea region when drawing and implementing EU and NATO policies. "The Black Sea region is of strategic importance to the Euro-Atlantic security and has become increasingly important following Russia's actions in Ukraine and due to the lingering conflicts in the Black Sea region," said Plevneliev.
The Bulgarian head of State said that Bulgaria will support the establishment of a NATO staff centre and a multinational framework brigade in Romania, which is expected to be decided at the NATO Summit in Warsaw. Plevneliev said that the Bulgarian position, declared by Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev after his meeting with Romanian counterpart in Brussels on Tuesday, was to this effect and that Bulgaria may commit up to 400 servicemen for training and exercises on a rotating basis.
Bulgaria also supports Romania's initiative, which is a regional maritime initiative and is entirely defensive, said Plevneliev.
Prospects for development of bilateral economic and commercial cooperation within the European Union and NATO, maintaining security in the region and migratory pressure featured on the agenda of talks between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and visiting Romanian President Johannis.
BTA