Video interview

Q: What are your expectations as a new NATO member?

A: Let me start the answer to this question by pointing out that Bulgaria-NATO relations follow a two-way pattern. Namely, along with expecting benefits, Bulgaria is also expected to share responsibilities. On our side, we are determined to deliver on these responsibilities.

As to what NATO membership means for us - I would say that for the majority of Bulgarians it confirms our return to the European and Euroatlantic mainstream. After the reunification of Germany, having the post-communist European democracies on board in NATO has proved to be the crucial step to dismantling the Yalta divisions and to meet the expectations of many people that this page of history, marked with injustice, would be closed. In other words, entering NATO Bulgaria is making a return to the family of democratic states, which we were forced to leave after the Second World War.

As a new NATO member we expect to ensure our national security interests in the best possible and cost-effective way. The security guarantees, embodied in Art. 5 of the Washington Treaty bring together Europe and North America in upholding common values and fighting common threats. By invoking its core function of collective defence after September 11 th , NATO has come to signify that the Euroatlantic community is united by common actions as well.

Secondly, we are convinced that the latest round of NATO enlargement southwards has greatly contributed to making the whole neighbourhood of South East Europe more secure and more stable. South East Europe is becoming Europe's first line of defence against today's non-traditional security threats. All of us, who live there, know that fighting terrorism is not simply fighting terrorists; it is a fight against trafficking people, drugs and arms, against corruption and state weakness. Bulgaria, for example, intercepts some of the largest quantities of heroine and other drugs flowing in from Asia. As a NATO member we expect to improve our efficiency in countering these asymmetric security threats.

Thirdly, we are joining an Alliance that, alongside collective defence, has already embraced a broader approach to security. Nowadays, security is no longer confined to 'survival' only, but it also denotes prosperity and development . This is a lesson brought to bear since 1989 when Bulgaria and other new democracies opted for far-reaching reforms. Recent EU assessments have defined Bulgaria as a functioning market economy, but our transition has been lengthy and painful. NATO and EU accession would provide the final cut to a durable democratic consolidation. Similar to the experience of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, NATO membership for Bulgaria entails a positive impact on the country's investment climate, improved credit rating including, thus helping increase foreign direct investment . Also, as a new NATO member Bulgaria would benefit from access to high technologies and critical know-how. On the economic side, we could also expect improved prospects for the funding and implementation of significant infrastructure projects on our territory. And the latter is crucial, given that i nvestments in the infrastructure of South East Europe are tantamount to investments in the security of Europe as a whole.

Q: What does your country bring to NATO?

A: Strategically, Bulgaria's NATO membership would help keep the instability in the Western Balkans at bay and entail lower costs for the NATO-led missions in the region. Bulgaria has consistently supported the Alliance in its efforts to bring peace and normality to the Western Balkans. To this very day we continue our logistical support to KFOR transiting forces whilst Bulgarian troops continue to operate on the ground as part of SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina and KFOR in Kosovo.

Joining NATO we are not bringing in any bilateral disputes, nor there is ground for such disputes to be expected in the future. On the contrary, we are coming to NATO with the remarkable Bulgarian model of ethnic tolerance and are genuinely ready to share our experience in Balkans. Bulgaria supports the efforts of the international community to consolidate regional stability and democracy. Being convinced that having a peaceful Balkans is the missing piece in the European peace puzzle, Bulgaria will continue to contribute to this goal.

NATO's opening towards Bulgaria and Romania, alongside Greece and Turkey, consolidates the Alliance's southern flank. Thus we are becoming a part of the real democratic shield, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and from the Pyrenees to the Bosphorus. This enhances the Alliance's outreach to the growingly strategic Black Sea, as well further boosting the capacity of NATO to project stability to the Black Sea adjacent regions, including the Caucasus and Central Asia. By extension, NATO would have a credible springboard in South East Europe, adding to the Allied capabilities to generate stability towards high-risk regions beyond the traditional Euroatlantic space.

In other words, Bulgaria's potential to generate stability would not be limited to South East Europe only. Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11 th Bulgaria has consistently acted as a loyal NATO Ally in the global fight against terrorism . For example, we tripled our SFOR and KFOR contributions, thus helping free NATO assets for the purposes of the anti-terrorist campaign. We opened our airspace to Allied aircraft during operation 'Enduring Freedom', deployed units in ISAF and hosted the first ever US Air Force base on our territory. Though no local terrorist structures or their financial assets have been identified in Bulgaria, a dramatic increase in the exchange of operational information has been initiated in order to deter possible terrorist threats.

Like all new democracies, Bulgaria's transition could offer to our neighbours in the region valuable practical insights as problems are similar and many of them are still pending on our agenda. In that sense we have already undertaken practical steps to back-up the efforts of Skopje, Tirana and Zagreb to prepare for future NATO membership. Bulgaria also stands ready to support the aspirations of Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the PfP, provided that all relevant conditions are met. The efforts of these countries to introduce decisive defence reforms are most welcome and we are ready to join forces with other Allies and invitees to help them in those demanding tasks.

Q: In what way will you contribute to the new military structures and missions of the Alliance?

A: Our political commitment to help maintain and enhance the military effectiveness of the enlarged NATO is unquestionable. Even at the pre-accession stage Bulgaria, among all NATO applicants, has been maintaining the highest level of defence expenditure as a GDP percentage. We will continue to do so by continuing to allocate not less than 2.6% of our GDP to defence , thus securing Bulgaria's capacity to contribute to the full range of NATO's missions. This and other commitments are laid out in the Bulgarian Timetable for Completion of Reforms, whose implementation continues in the post-accession period as well.

Bulgaria will continue to refine and fully apply the national defence planning process in a way that is compatible with NATO's defence planning. Building on previous reform efforts, further readjustments in that area are expected with the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) , launched immediately after the Prague summit and scheduled for completion next spring. The Review takes stock of the 2004 Force Proposals/Force Goals, thus helping us develop a flexible, deployable and sustainable military forces, capable of undertaking Allied missions of crisis response (non-art.5) and collective defence (art.5).

Let me highlight two essential points. Firstly, it is important to take stock of progress achieved. Bulgaria has rendered great strides in restructuring its army , burdened with the Warsaw Pact and the Cold War legacy. Despite the high social costs, the Armed Forces have been reduced by over 50% to reach, one year in advance under the so called "Reform Plan 2004", the peace-time target figure of 45 000. At present, professional soldiers comprise a significant component of the overall manpower but we plan to put into place a fully professional Navy and Air Force by 2006 and phase out conscription by 2010.

Secondly, we are fully aware that further efforts to develop Bulgaria's military capabilities are required. However, through mechanisms such as the Membership Action Plan, the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) and practical co-operation on the ground in the NATO-led SFOR, KFOR and ISAF, our military capabilities are not only better known to the Alliance, but they have been continuously fine-tuned to Allied standards and interoperability criteria. This is a very good position to build on and we are determined to make the best of it.

Alongside professionalisation, modernisation remains a key area for further action. Over the years Bulgaria has decommissioned 60% of its heavy combat equipment. Since 1998 priority in modernisation is attached to command, control and communication systems and air surveillance. Key projects include reconstruction of the Graf Ignatievo Air Force base, building a Field Integrated Communications and Information system (FICIS), creation of the Air Sovereignty Operational Centre (ASOC) that will enable to align the Bulgarian air defence with the Integrated NATO Air Defence system.

Let me finish by saying that, similar to other invitees, Bulgaria was quick to find out that applying the principles of market economy in defence policy-making has become the key for a successful democratic transition. Preparing for and joining NATO has come to be the most credible avenue to achieve cost-effective, efficient, relevant and affordable defence.

Q: As a new ally, how do you think you can influence NATO's future political agenda?

A: We are fully aware that Bulgaria and the other Prague invitees become a part of an enlarged Alliance whereby enlargement is only one facet of the overall transformation. In Prague the leaders of NATO opted for a three-track makeover, going for New Members, New Capabilities and New Relationships. Bulgaria shares the commitment of the present and future members on the necessity to fine-tune the Alliance's agenda in a way that preserves and enhances the political and military effectiveness of NATO. We are already involved in the NATO committee work and have the opportunity to debate and consult with the Allies on the most pressing security issues in the Euroatlantic space.

This brings me to a very important point. NATO might be increasingly involved in fighting new security challenges but, nevertheless, its essence remains intact: NATO remains a collective defence alliance of democratic nations where decisions are reached by consensus. Bulgaria, similar to the other six invitees, has already demonstrated our adherence to the culture of consensus and political cohesion. The functioning of the Vilnius Group, for example, is a case in point. Another example is the Bulgarian performance as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2002 - 2003, as to this very day we do not spare any effort to reach and sustain consensus on the most controversial issues of international security.

Lastly, but not least, one lesson learned after September 11th is that in the face of an overwhelming threat there are no distinctions between "small" and "big" nations. Regardless of national resources or military might, every country has a role to play. We fully understand the opportunity and the responsibility to sit on the North Atlantic Council. And I have no doubts that Bulgaria will succeed in living up to that demanding endeavour.