site.btaDefence Minister Zakov: Bulgaria, Greece Are Good Neighbour Role Models

Bilateral defence cooperation and the prospects of its growth were on the agenda of Bulgarian Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov and Greek Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Hardalias when they conferred in Athens on Thursday, Zakov's Ministry said in a press release. "Bulgaria and Greece demonstrate goodneighbourly relations and a partnership that can serve as an example for the entire region," Zakov told reporters after the meeting.

The Bulgarian Minister is in the Greek capital at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday morning and was unable to see the Bulgarian delegation.

Zakov described Greece's commitment to provide the Bulgarian military with an anti-tack platoon as "a true sign of our friendship". "All international elements in NATO's Eastern flank show unity and decisiveness," Zakov said.

The sides also discussed the purchase, piloting and maintenance of F-16 fighter jets, the infrastructure required for such aircraft, as well as increasing the number of joint flights at bilateral exercises and within the North Atlantic Alliance structure.

Zakov emphasized that Bulgaria and Greece are agreed about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the risks it poses to the Black Sea region, to Europe in general and to the Western Balkans in particular.