EC President Ursula von der Leyen arrived at the airport in Plovdiv. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov personally welcomed her.

Von der Leyen is on a one-day visit to Bulgaria as part of her tour of the seven countries in the immediate vicinity of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The common European defense capability and Bulgaria's contribution will be the focus of the Prime Minister's conversation with Von der Leyen.

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov will brief the President of the European Commission on the defense capacity of our country and the actions taken for its development and technological renewal. The two will visit VMZ-Sopot, where the Prime Minister will present some of Bulgaria's accumulated experience and traditions in the military industry. Zhelyazkov and Von der Leyen will also discuss the opportunities for Bulgaria under the European Security Mechanism"SAFE", including the preparation of the construction of the two new production facilities, for which the government is partnering with the largest defense concern"Rheinmetall".