Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said Thursday Greece’s swift response to Bulgaria’s request for military support strengthens regional security and highlights deepening defense ties between the two countries within the European Union and NATO.
Delivering statements while on an official visit to Sofia, Dendias said he discussed regional security challenges with Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov.
“Bulgaria is not just a friendly country, but a neighboring country, a partner,” Dendias said, adding that “assistance to Bulgaria is our obligation and not a choice, and we are particularly happy to support Bulgaria.”
Last week, Athens agreed to Sofia’s request to help shield the country from potential missile threats by deploying a Patriot air defense battery and two F-16 fighter jets stationed on the northeastern island of Lemnos.
Parts of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania fall within the potential range of Iran’s long-range ballistic missiles.
Gyurov welcomed the move, saying: “We greatly appreciate the provision of military assistance in this period of crisis,” and described Greece as “one of our closest allies as a neighboring country.”
He added that cooperation between the two countries also spans transportation, energy and broader regional initiatives.
Dendias later met with his Bulgarian counterpart, Atanas Zapryanov, reiterating that Greece “believes in the European dimension of our relations with Bulgaria.”
Zapryanov thanked the Greek government and Dendias personally for the immediate response to Bulgaria’s appeal for support, noting the deployment of the Patriot system to help protect Bulgarian airspace. [Kathimerini, AMNA]