NATO

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis heads to Brussels on Wednesday to attend the two-day Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs to discuss the war in Ukraine and security in the wider region ahead of the Alliance summit in Washington on July 9-11.

The two-day meeting will also include the NATO-Ukraine Council, in the presence of the foreign minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.

Amid debates over Bulgaria's membership in NATO, the US Ambassador to the Alliance, Julianne Smith, reaffirmed that Bulgaria retains full autonomy in deciding its relationship with the organization.

In a display of steadfast alliance and strategic cooperation, the Bulgarian and American air forces have launched joint exercises aimed at enhancing their readiness and coordination in the Black Sea region. The maneuvers, which involve simulated strikes on ground targets, highlight a continued commitment to NATO's collective defense amidst regional tensions.

Bulgaria commemorated a significant milestone on Friday as it celebrated 20 years of NATO membership, a testament to its enduring commitment to international security and cooperation. On March 29, 2004, Bulgaria, alongside several other nations, officially joined the NATO alliance, solidifying its position as a key player in the global defense landscape.

NEW YORK - A debate requested by Russia to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1999 NATO aggression on the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has again failed to make it to the UN Security Council agenda after six of 15 members of the top UN body voted in favour and nine abstained on Thursday.

Russia, China, Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and Mozambique voted for the request.

Two decades ago, Bulgaria embarked on a transformative journey by joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), marking a pivotal moment in its modern history. Since then, the country has navigated the complexities of collective security, democratic values, and defense integration within the alliance.

Bulgaria commemorates a significant milestone today as it celebrates 20 years of NATO membership. On March 29, 2004, Bulgaria, alongside several other nations including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, officially became a member of the NATO alliance.

Defense Chief Admiral Emil Eftimov has urged for a significant increase in defense spending, advocating for a budget allocation of 2.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Eftimov stressed that this measure is essential to bridge the gap in defense investments and ensure Bulgaria's security in the face of evolving global and regional challenges.

In commemoration of Bulgaria's 20th anniversary as a member of NATO, the Ministry of Defence has announced open days at military formations across the country. The press centre of the Ministry revealed that the Land Forces will be hosting these events on March 28 and 29, inviting the public to explore and engage with Bulgaria's military heritage.

BELGRADE - The head of Serbia's standing delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) Vladimir Djukanovic has sent a letter of protest to the body's President Michal Szczerba following announcements the status of the so-called Kosovo's assembly in the NATO PA could be promoted from observer to associate member, and noted that the Serbian parliament could reassess the purposefulness o