Italy and Bulgaria discuss defense cooperation and hybrid attack countermeasures

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is conducting an official visit to Bulgaria, where he will be hosted by Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov at the Bezmer Air Base. The working program includes a meeting with the Italian military contingent stationed at the Novo Selo training area, which serves as part of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup for which Italy acts as the framework nation.

During the discussions, Crosetto proposed the establishment of a European center dedicated to combating hybrid attacks. Minister Stoyanov expressed his support for this initiative, stating that such a center should assist all member states. This proposal follows recent security concerns in Europe, including reported hybrid operations involving drones in Germany.

The visit also builds upon existing bilateral defense cooperation, including a previous agreement signed in December to jointly develop and utilize military infrastructure in the Kabile region.