03/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/06/2026 10:45
Yesterday and today, I had a conversation with the Minister of Defence of Bulgaria, Atanas Zapryanov.
In particular, upon decision of the Government Council for National Security, a PATRIOT battery is to be relocated within the next hours to a suitable area, for the anti-ballistic coverage of a large part of Bulgarian territory.
In addition, a pair of F-16 aircraft will be restationed at an airbase in Northern Greece, with the exclusive mission of further covering Bulgaria.
Moreover, 2 Senior Officers of the Hellenic Air Force are dispatched to the Ops Centre of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in Sofia.
I would like to clarify that the above actions respond to a request from Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member state, and do not affect the anti-ballistic protection of the Hellenic territory.
Also, following an invitation from my Bulgarian counterpart, next week I shall visit Sofia.