Europe's production capacity should reach 2 million shells by the end of this year, says EC President
"Bulgaria has an extremely strong tradition in the defense industry. In fact, you have the largest turnover to the Gross Domestic Product within the EU and the only country where the largest private employer is a company in the defense industry. Here you produce large quantities of ammunition and charges that support Ukraine and its fight for freedom. Since the beginning of the war, 1/3 of the weapons used by Ukraine have come from Bulgaria. For this, I thank you first and foremost for your unwavering support for our brave neighbor and partner Ukraine." This is what Ursula von der Leyen said at VMZ - Sopot and thanked our country.
"Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine. And for a just and lasting, long-term peace, we know that Ukraine needs strong security guarantees. We are working on them right now, but I can tell you that the first line of defense, for security guarantees in Ukraine, is a strong, well-armed, equipped military force. I like to say that Ukraine should be like a hedgehog of steel that cannot be swallowed by whoever wants it. What you are doing in the VMZ is extremely useful. These valuable and necessary ammunition for Ukraine, for arming the Ukrainian armed forces, but also production to fill our stocks here within the EU. You contribute to both lines, both ways, security guarantees for Ukraine and security guarantees for Europeans. The second line of defense for Europeans is the coalition of the willing, a multinational group, with the support of many countries, and the third line of defense is a strong defense"Europe's position," the EC President continued.
According to her, it is clear that Putin will not stop. "He has created a full-scale military economy. It is precisely because of the heavy sanctions that we have imposed that he has an old-fashioned, but full-scale war economy. And he will continue to produce on a large scale. As Ukraine's defense capability is strengthened, we must also take greater responsibility for our own defense. And in order to improve our defense readiness and posture, we must actively move at the European Council level, the European level, above all for financial support," added Ursula von der Leyen.
She emphasized that Europe has created the"SAFE" instrument - measures for the security of the continent."This is 150 billion euros for joint public procurement and I must say with pride that there are commitments made for it for a negative time. I thank Bulgaria for its quick response for this and now it is time to invest these 150 billion euros in joint public procurement. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, you said that you plan to invest part of this European funding under the SAFE mechanism here, in the VMZ. You plan to create a plant and expand the existing one, which I had the pleasure of visiting, for energetic materials and charges, as well as one for ammunition, meeting NATO standards. This is exactly the kind of project we want to see. It will provide good jobs in the region, up to 1,000 new ones will be opened here, in Sopot, thanks to these projects, and it will also increase our ammunition production," she addressed Rosen Zhelyazkov. And she added that this also means sustainable growth for the region.
"Currently, production is being accelerated everywhere in Europe, because the times we live in demand it. The production capacity should reach 2 million shells by the end of this year. And as I said, we must maintain this sense of urgency. Putin has not changed and will not change. He can only be controlled with disarmament and deterrence measures. And now with financing, we need to be quick and well-coordinated with strengthening our defense position, namely with investment and with the implementation of investment. Therefore, we will have a joint roadmap. In October, in the European Union, we will discuss what are the gaps in our defense capability, how to fill them and what goals we need to achieve by 2030 in order to fill the gaps and gaps in our defense position. And let me confirm that Bulgaria is actively contributing to the defense and security of both Ukraine and Europe. For which I thank you. Both the contribution of Bulgaria and the defense industry, industry, are"an occasion not only for national, but also for European pride," Von der Leyen also said.
She explained that successful enlargement is in the EU's interest, because it will have a stronger voice in the world."You described the interference of other powers, in particular the Russians, in the Western Balkans. Just look at what is happening in Moldova. This requires us to stand firmly with our friends and partners, to strengthen them and to help them fight these hybrid attacks and attempts at interference that are happening. And to give them the opportunity to choose for themselves where they want to go. Given this, enlargement is and will remain a merit-based process. Based on merit. There are clear requirements, there are clear improvements that need to be achieved and each candidate will be assessed on its own merits. This is extremely important for trust in both the process and the union. We know that enlargement takes time, but I want to emphasize and reiterate that it is essential for Europeans, for regional security and stability, to work hard for a successful enlargement process," Ursula von der Leyen also said.
The President of the European Commission is visiting the largest arms factory in our country.
"There will be two Rheinmetall plants in our country, one of which will be in VMZ. The thousands of jobs that will be created and preserved are thanks to what is happening now," said GERB leader Boyko Borisov.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov explained that the upcoming joint venture with Rheinmetall is in the context of strengthening the defense capabilities of the European Union.
