Bulgaria and the United Kingdom are set to deepen cooperation in defense industry development, security policy, and Black Sea stability, following talks between Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and British Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty, according to BGNES.
Stoyanov described the United Kingdom as “an important ally of Bulgaria in NATO and our key partner in Europe,” stressing that both countries have strong prospects for expanding cooperation in defense capabilities, training, and industrial production. He underlined that the two sides already maintain effective channels for coordination and see further potential for structured partnership in the sector.
A central focus of the meeting was security in the Black Sea region, where Stoyanov said stability remains a strategic priority. He highlighted ongoing regional cooperation between Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey within the Mine Countermeasures Naval Task Force, which operates on a rotating basis to secure maritime routes and ensure freedom of navigation. He also noted that the initiative remains open to participation from additional allied navies.
Defense modernization was another key topic, with Stoyanov pointing out that Bulgaria continues to gradually increase its defense spending in line with NATO commitments. He stated that military expenditure reached 2.13% of GDP last year, with plans for further increases, while also meeting the alliance target of allocating at least 20% of defense spending to modernization and capital investment projects.
The discussion also addressed industrial cooperation, with both sides noting that Bulgarian defense companies are already working with British partners and that there is significant room to expand joint projects. Stoyanov said the national defense industry is undergoing accelerated modernization and is increasingly aligning itself with NATO standards and requirements, strengthening its integration into allied supply chains.
The war in Ukraine and hybrid threats were also part of the agenda. Stoyanov stated, “We are convinced that the conflict will not be resolved on the battlefield. We see that more and more EU leaders are beginning to talk about sitting at the negotiating table. We must think about the people on the front line, because these are human lives and human destinies.” Doughty, in turn, reaffirmed support for diplomatic efforts but noted that Russia continues to intensify its military actions.
Both officials emphasized the importance of NATO unity, increased defense investment, and stronger capability development across the alliance. They also warned that hybrid threats and disinformation are becoming an increasingly serious security challenge, requiring closer coordination among member states.