“I am particularly pleased to be in Bulgaria today. I would like to thank my counterpart Defence Minister and friend for the very warm welcome.

We have a very close cooperation in the framework of NATO, European Union, but mostly as neighbours and friends.
 
After the latest geopolitical developments, the expansion of terrorism, the situation in the Middle East, Northern Africa and Black Sea, as well as the latest developments in Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece are the firm area of stability in the wider region.

Our defence cooperation, our common positions in the European Union and NATO, draw a stability policy on the Mediterranean, Europe and the whole western world.
 
Bulgaria, Greece and farther to the south Cyprus, and Romania to the north, they are the countries that mainly constitute the West’s borders from the East. The close cooperation will help us build a safe Europe.  
 
The cooperation we have is important for dealing with the migration issue. Respecting human rights, we have the commitment to work in common for human lives to be ensured and, in parallel, for this great wave towards the West to stop.
 
It is clear that refuges do not want to stay in Greece and Bulgaria. It must become absolutely clear to our allies in the European Union and in NATO that the reinforcement of these two countries will be important for other countries of the Alliance and the European Union as well.
 
I would like to assure the Bulgarian and Greek people that the close cooperation of the two Ministries of Defence and of the Armed Forces creates conditions of full security for our peoples and will be an example for other countries in the Alliance.
 
We have agreed with the Minister on a common defence policy for the area and, as he will announce, on common exercises to which we will have the opportunity to invite our allies too. A very close cooperation in defence industry begins as well.
 
Thank you all for being here today. You will have the chance to see us often together.
 
Thank you very much.”