Bulgaria wants a stronger, more effective European Defence Agency (EDA). Deputy defence minister Lyubomir Monov made the case in Brussels, the defence ministry says.
Monov took part in Monday's EU Foreign Affairs Council in defence ministers' format, as well as a meeting of the agency's Steering Board. He said the EDA should help member states build up their defence and make better use of EU tools.
Bulgaria backed a second round of steps to strengthen the agency. These widen the EDA's role in innovation, building capabilities and buying defence products and services jointly.
"The European Defence Agency can play an even bigger role in this process," Monov said.
Board members also discussed the first annual report on defence readiness. The ministry said the report gives an honest picture of progress and helps set the next priorities for member states.
Monov called military mobility a key factor for security on the eastern flank and in the Black Sea region. He also pointed to the need for air and missile defence, as well as drones and anti-drone systems. He said defence readiness in Europe needs more investment, but also better coordination between member states.
The deputy minister also held a one-on-one meeting in Brussels with Sebastian Hartmann, parliamentary state secretary at Germany's federal defence ministry. They talked about closer military cooperation between the two countries and ways to speed up joint projects under the SAFE instrument.
Bulgaria asked for its defence companies to get a bigger role in projects, working with other firms and joining European supply chains. The two also discussed options for long-term partnerships with Germany's defence industry.
Monov led the Bulgarian delegation at the informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Ireland on August 31 and September 1. Talks there covered the EU's military support for Ukraine and cooperation in the defence industry.