BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. Minister of
Defense of Bulgaria Atanas Zapryanov met with the newly appointed
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria, H.E.
Arthur den Hartog, Trend reports.
During the talks, both sides described the cooperation in the
field of defence as excellent and discussed opportunities to
further deepen its scope.
Among the main topics discussed were the changed security
environment resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine, the
contribution of both countries to strengthening the Allied capacity
for deterrence, defence, and protection of NATO’s Eastern Flank, as
well as the assistance that Bulgaria and the Netherlands are
providing and will continue to provide to Ukraine. Emphasis was
also placed on the Allied commitment to increase defence budgets in
the context of the decisions taken at the Alliance Summit in The
Hague.
Minister Zapryanov briefed the Dutch Ambassador on the projects
for the modernization of Bulgaria’s armed forces and on the
possibilities for implementing these projects through financial
support under the SAFE instrument. The prospects for the defence
industry were also discussed, with Ambassador den Hartog expressing
increased interest from Dutch companies in participating in the
international defence equipment and services exhibition
“Hemus”, which will take place in
2026.
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the
successful joint mission of the Bulgarian and Dutch Air Forces for
airspace protection, conducted in 2022.