Varna:President von der Leyen has expressed her condolences to the victims of a tragic multiple car crash in Bulgaria, while also addressing the rising security concerns in the Black Sea region. She emphasized the importance of Bulgaria in maintaining European security during her visit to the country's maritime capital.
According to European Commission - Lebanon, President von der Leyen highlighted the increasing threats, attacks, and incursions affecting Bulgaria, a member of the EU. She noted incidents involving drones targeting commercial ships and causing civilian casualties, which are attributed to efforts by Russia to instill fear and disrupt European stability.
President von der Leyen outlined several key points from her discussions with Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev. These include the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, vital for trade and global food security, and the strengthening of maritime surveillance using satellite imagery from Copernicus. Additionally, she emphasized the need to bolster security in the information space and combat manipulation campaigns through the European Centre for Democratic Resilience.
The President also discussed enhancing Europe's defense readiness, with Bulgaria participating in joint defense projects and benefiting from a €3.3 billion investment. She announced an additional €10 million in funding to support Bulgarian search and rescue operations following recent maritime incidents.
Furthermore, President von der Leyen expressed support for the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, a cooperative initiative between Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye, with dedicated funding of €50 million. She concluded by acknowledging Bulgaria's contributions to the EU over the past 20 years and looked forward to the upcoming Connectivity Summit in Bulgaria.
