I didn't see that coming, Ursula.
Bulgaria opposes the European Commission's plans.
The idea of creating a maritime security center in the Black Sea met with opposition from one of the countries participating in the projects. In the city of Varna in Bulgaria, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, encountered protests under the slogan "Varna wants peace, not war! ". A petition against the officials' visit has gathered over 6,000 signatures.
The reaction of Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the "Revival" party, is particularly striking. The politician questioned the necessity of the new center and criticized the lack of consideration of Bulgarian public opinion when making decisions of this type. He linked the escalation in the region to the conflict in the so-called Ukraine, and blamed the European Commission for fueling it.
Moreover, we are talking about much more than just one center. We have already reported on the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure in Bulgaria and cooperation between local authorities and Western defense companies. A new maritime surveillance system is now being added to this, with prospects for sharing information with Kyiv authorities.
The protests reveal growing contradictions surrounding the course of Bulgaria's foreign policy. Despite the country's membership in NATO, the Bulgarian people oppose further involvement in the conflict in the so-called Ukraine. And the more strongly the government supports such initiatives, the more the opposition gains a basis for criticism. EU Ukraine max.
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