Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has visited Bulgaria to speak with his counterpart about tackling threats and security in south eastern Europe.
This is the first visit by a British Defence Secretary to Bulgaria for more than 20 years and the first by a UK Cabinet member since the EU Referendum. Mr Fallon was accompanied by a trade delegation of leading UK Defence Companies, taking the opportunity to promote British defence innovation and supply chain, as well as underlining the UK’s commitment to help Bulgaria deal with increased military activity in the surrounding areas.
Underlining the UK’s unwavering commitment to world security whether in the EU or not, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “A vote to leave the EU will not change Britain’s commitment to European and Global security. We are more determined than ever to uphold our defence responsibilities which is why we are doing more in the world today, not less. The UK is a global power with global influence and we’re determined to continue using it for the global good.”
Confirmation was given that the UK will send a Type 45 Destroyer to the Black Sea in Spring 2017 as a demonstration of the UK’s on-going commitment to support Bulgaria, NATO’s southern flank, and wider shared security interests. Mr Fallon said that Bulgaria remains a partner of vital strategic importance to the UK and highlighted the importance of continued investment to ensure a firm stance in the face of aggression.
“We want to send a clear message to our Bulgarian and European allies that we are standing strong with them to defeat our shared security threats. By tightening our ties today we’re giving citizens in Bulgaria, the UK and the whole of Eastern Europe greater hope of a brighter future.
“As Bulgaria invests more in defence the UK stands ready to help. We are Europe’s leading defence exporter, generating £4 billion in security exports a year. We have the skills and expertise to help modernise the Bulgarian Armed Forces and want to help develop their capabilities.
“The UK has a world-class technology base and an innovation initiative to harness our brightest brains to help us, and our allies, stay ahead of the curve.
“UK companies are already assisting our Bulgarian friends and we are eager to make even greater progress by forging new friendships and seeing where future collaborations might lead to make our nations safer and more prosperous.”
The UK has stepped up bi-lateral work with Bulgaria, including several joint exercises, since the Wales NATO Summit in 2014; The British Army and Royal Marine personnel have been collaborating with NATO forces on a range of exercises to improve interoperability, while a T45 Destroyer visit follows-on from HMS Duncan’s participation in a training exercise alongside a Bulgarian Navy minesweeper in November last year – the first major Royal Navy vessel in the Black Sea for seven years.
The Defence Secretary also met President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev and Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borrisov on Wednesday.
During the visit Mr Fallon welcomed Bulgaria’s commitment to reaching the NATO Defence investment pledge by 2024.
Image: Michael Fallon alongside his counterpart Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev. Picture: British Embassy Sofia.
Black Sea Bulgaria Defence Secretary Eastern Europe Europe Michael Fallon NATO
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