President Radev declined to attend NATO summit

President Rumen Radev did not accept the proposal of the Council of Ministers to lead the Bulgarian delegation and participate in the meeting of the heads of state and government in Washington DC, the press service of the Head of State said in a press release on June 27.

Cabinet proposes President Radev to lead the Bulgarian delegation at the NATO Summit

The message adds that the Head of State does not accept certain provisions of the framework positions adopted by the Council of Ministers concerning commitments that Bulgaria is making regarding the war in Ukraine.

"Yesterday, 26 June 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the framework positions of the Republic of Bulgaria for the NATO summit to be held on 9-11 July in Washington. By the same decision, President Rumen Radev is proposed to lead the Bulgarian delegation, to present the adopted framework positions and on their basis "to approve and/or endorse" the documents presented at the summit. Caretaker Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dimitar Glavchev, is also included in the delegation."

"The head of state and commander-in-chief has always insisted and worked for the modernisation of the Armed Forces, for the enhancement of the national defence capacity, for the strengthening of Bulgaria's contribution to the strengthening of the deterrence and defence potential of NATO's eastern flank."

"Since the first day of the war in Ukraine, the head of state has strongly condemned Russian aggression. At national and international forums, President Radev has always supported all elements of the collective approach to ensuring security, enhancing defence capabilities, implementing the Alliance's regional plans and increasing defence spending."