The more pro-Russian voices like Elena Yoncheva and Petar Volgin in the European security conversation, the better for Putin. This was stated on the air of “The Day” by the diplomat Stefan Tafrov, who won the internal elections as the leading candidate of “Yes, Bulgaria” in the upcoming vote for the European Parliament.
“We, the Bulgarians, must help Europe get back on its feet in terms of security. The European Parliament is the natural place where discussions about the future and security of Europe will take place, and Bulgaria must be at the center of this process. I believe that I have the profile, experience and expertise to contribute in a meaningful way to this debate, so that the Bulgarian voice is heard in it”, stressed Tafrov. The former ambassador to Great Britain, France, Italy and the UN added that in his role as an MEP he will work in the interest of the Bulgarian defense industry and its modernization.
“Our defense industry is currently booming, but will it continue to be so in the future? It must be helped to take the upcoming technological turn, so that it will be an integral part of the future single market for defense of the EU, and also remain with a key role for the economy of Bulgaria”, said Tafrov.
The MEP candidate stressed that Europe must carefully start acting on its autonomous defense without weakening NATO. Tafrov added that the European Union should not always rely on the American umbrella for its protection, but neither should it give arguments to isolationists across the Ocean.
“It is proper to follow two parallel paths – on the one hand, to continue to be active members of NATO, and on the other hand, the EU should significantly increase its defense spending and take care of its security,” noted Tafrov.
The diplomat also listed a number of priorities in the field of European security, which he will defend as an MEP. Among them are the creation of a European Security Council, including the heads of both EU member states and the Prime Ministers of Great Britain and Norway.
“I would also add the leading statesmen of the candidate countries for EU membership, who share our values. One of the good ideas of the EPP is that all European agencies, services and directorates dealing with defense should be united under the umbrella of one Commissioner for Security and Defence. There is already talk that this could be the current Polish foreign minister, Radoslaw Shikorski, who, in my opinion, would be a wonderful choice,” said Tafrov.
According to the diplomat, the European Union needs a foreign minister with extended powers, as well as regular meetings of European defense ministers. He emphasized that defense will not immediately become a community policy, but will take its rightful place in European integration.
“Without becoming a real geopolitical player that cares about its own security, no one will take Europe seriously,” concluded Tafrov.
