Bulgaria scheduled to sign security cooperation agreement with Ukraine

Sofia: During the European Council meeting on December 19, Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign an Agreement on Security Cooperation between the two countries, the Bulgarian government information service said.

The draft agreement was submitted to the National Assembly earlier this week.

At a regular meeting on October 2, Bulgaria’s caretaker cabinet approved the signing of a security cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and Ukraine and the accession of Bulgaria to the Ukraine Compact presented during this year’s Nato Summit in Washington DC.

In late November, the caretaker government approved an updated version of the agreement, which commits Bulgaria to a 10-year obligation to provide military aid and training, as well as support for Ukrainian refugees.

The agreement was discussed on December 16 by caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Ukrainian ambassador Olesya Ilashchuk, the Defence Ministry said.

The ministry quoted Zapryanov as saying: “Bulgaria firmly stands behind the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.

He emphasised that Bulgaria will continue to provide defence assistance to Ukraine and expressed the wish that for Ukrainian people, the coming year would bring peace and territorial independence.

The agreement was also part of talks on December 17 between Ilashchuk and caretaker Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov.

Kondov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s consistent and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and said that the agreement was a clear sign of this commitment.

Defence Chief Admiral Emil Eftimov, speaking on December 18, told reporters that Bulgaria’s military has no tasks arising from the upcoming 10-year agreement in the field of security and defence to be signed with Ukraine.

“Nothing new for us that would put us in a situation to solve any extraordinary and new tasks,” Eftimov said.

“We participate in Nato policies regarding cooperation with Ukraine and assistance in developing the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces,” he said.

Ivailo Mirchev, an MP for Parliament’s second-largest group, We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, said on December 18: “Naturally, we support it, at least because it in no way changes Bulgaria’s policy, which has been the case until now.

“It is important in many ways. First, it is pan-European and will be adopted at a pan-European level, and second, Bulgaria must have an adequate attitude towards Ukraine,” Mirchev said.

“Very soon, Bulgaria will also participate seriously in the reconstruction of Ukraine, where we will have many opportunities as a state. So, this is absolutely indisputable for us, a fairly routine act,” he said.

In statements in Parliament on December 18, pro-Kremlin party Vuzrazhdane and the Bulgarian Socialist Party objected to the planned signing of the agreement, and called for it to be called off.

At this week’s European Council meeting, EU leaders will discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in all its dimensions, including the latest developments on the ground, and continued comprehensive support for Ukraine and its people, a statement said.

In terms of military support, the leaders will review progress on the delivery of air defence systems, ammunition and missiles as well as the provision of necessary training and equipment to Ukrainian soldiers.

To help Ukraine prepare for the winter and beyond, the leaders will discuss how to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector and other civilian infrastructure which Russia has deliberately and increasingly been targeting.

The EU is ready to increase pressure on Russia and third countries supporting Russia, including by ensuring the full and effective implementation of sanctions and through further measures to counter their circumvention, the statement said.