Former leaders and senior military officers urge protection of national security

Former presidents, prime ministers, diplomats and public figures are calling on the government of Prime Minister Rumen Radev to safeguard national security amid growing threats to Bulgaria and the region.

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“Peace cannot be secured by hoping that Putin will spare us if we distance ourselves from Ukraine, the EU and NATO. It must be defended through combat-ready armed forces, effective security services, modern surveillance systems, credible deterrence and, above all, close coordination and joint efforts with our allies and partners in the EU and NATO”, the appeal states.

The statement has been signed by former President Rosen Plevneliev, former prime ministers Boyko Borissov, Ivan Kostov, Kiril Petkov and Nikolay Denkov, as well as 18 former ministers, retired and reserve generals, diplomats and public figures.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov