Bulgaria to work for defense integration of Western Balkans in EU: president

SOFIA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev here on Tuesday said his country would work for defense integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union (EU) in order to strengthen the region's security.

Integration processes and giving a European perspective to the Western Balkans required greater connectivity not only in the fields of infrastructure and energy, but also much greater cooperation in the field of defense, Radev said after a meeting of the country's Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS).

"Therefore, in this regard, we believe that enhanced defense cooperation is very important in strengthening the security of our region," said Radev, who is the head of the CCNS.

Bulgaria, which last Monday took over the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, would develop a roadmap of projects and initiatives in the areas of security and defense to support the European perspective and strengthen the security of the Western Balkan countries, Radev said.

This roadmap would include a catalogue of education and training opportunities in Bulgaria in the field of security and defense, he said.

"In this area, we can give the countries of the Western Balkans a lot of opportunities," said Radev, who is also the Supreme Commander in Chief of the country's armed forces.

The roadmap would also include a proposal to conduct joint military exercises and training, Radev said.

Bulgaria has been a NATO and EU member since 2004 and 2007 respectively. The country's EU Presidency has four key priorities: The future of Europe and young people -- economic growth and social cohesion, European perspective and connectivity of the Western Balkans, security and stability in a strong and united Europe, and digital economy and skills of the future. Enditem