NATO Regional Summit Sends 'Very Strong Message of Unity', Bulgaria’s Plevneliev Says

Leaders of nine states of Central and Eastern Europe on Wednesday expressed grave concern over what they see as Russia’s "continuing aggressive posturing" and military build-up from the Baltics to Syria, Reuters reported.

"We will stand firm on the need for Russia to return to respect of international law as well as of its international obligations, responsibilities and commitments as a pre-condition for a NATO–Russia relationship based on trust and confidence," the leaders said in a joint declaration.

Bulgaria was represented by President Rosen Plevneliev at the regional summit meeting of nine NATO states in Bucharest, hosted by the presidents of Romania and Poland, Klaus Iohannis and Andrzej Duda.

"The security environment is deteriorating, crises are increasing, the situation becomes increasingly unpredictable,” Plevneliev said after the meeting, according to a press release issued by his office. “In this difficult moment all of us shall work together to resolve the crises surrounding us.”

“The joint declaration which was adopted unanimously […] sends a very strong message of unity,” Plevneliev said.

The nine countries on the eastern flank of NATO have confirmed  their commitment to gradually increase their defence spending in line with the decisions of the NATO summit meeting held in Wales in September 2014.

"Some countries are close to delivering on the pledge to spend on defence 2% of GDP. Bulgaria needs to catch up. If we want to have NATO’s safeguards on our side we need to contribute to collective security," Plevneliev said.

He welcomed the government’s intention to allocate to defence spending 1.35% of GDP in the 2016 budget draft now before parliament, saying the proposed outlays reflected Bulgaria’s commitments to its NATO partners and the country’s own national security.

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