Bulgaria should develop its defense industry not only as part of the common European defense market, but also by becoming a net exporter, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said in Brussels, where he arrived for a meeting of the European Council on defense and the EU budget.

He noted that European leaders will discuss important and sensitive issues.

"The common defense policy, the continuation of the war in Ukraine, the search for solutions for a lasting and sustainable peace, and assistance to Ukraine will be discussed," he said.

Countries that rely on cohesion policy are returning by keeping the common agricultural policy and the cohesion policy and internal security funds in force.

"We will insist on preserving the current model of shared responsibility in the management and flexibility of these instruments. We will use all possible financial instruments, but we need to structure better coordination between different enterprises - public and private - in the Bulgarian defense industry," Zhelyazkov said.

"Bulgaria is preparing its plan, things were approved in a closed meeting, which I cannot talk about at the moment," Zhelyazkov said in anticipation of EU countries submitting proposals for defense investments.

"We are particularly ready for issues related to the development of the defense industry and capabilities, within the framework of the common European defense policy and the common European defense market," he added.

Regarding the adoption of the euro, Zhelyazkov said he expects a positive report on Bulgaria's readiness in May-June.

"We know who will not support the euro – these are Vazrazhdane, MECH, Velichie. All the others, I hope, as they have expressed their pro-European orientation so far, will show it with the budget vote and all actions that guarantee the sustainability of public finances and proper governance," he said, reports KosovaPress.

In his talks with European Parliament President Roberta Mezzola about the attack on the European Commission Office in Sofia during an anti-euro protest, Zhelyazkov said that Bulgaria had given guarantees that the rule of law would guarantee the proper attitude towards European institutions and the necessary sanctions against the perpetrators.

"Support for the euro will be where people recognize Bulgaria's European future as the only rational, meaningful and correct direction for the country's development as a sovereign and prosperous state," he said, BTA reports.