Balgarianovinite.com The Fortifying Freedom: Defence and Democracy Dialogue forum, organized by the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD), took place on Tuesday at the Sofia Balkan Palace Hotel. The event brought together policymakers, security experts, and civil society leaders to discuss strategic decisions shaping Europe’s next decade amid growing global instability.
Opening the conference, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that on January 1, 2026, Bulgaria will take a decisive step toward completing its European integration, a process pursued with determination since 1989. He emphasized that only united democracies can withstand the multiple threats they face, identifying the war in Ukraine as the clearest manifestation of the global divide between Western democracies and revisionist powers such as Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Zhelyazkov underlined Bulgaria’s role on NATO’s and the EU’s front line, stressing the need to build democratic partnerships and defend Ukraine’s European future.
Ingrid Schulerud, Norway’s Special Representative on Democracy and the Rule of Law, warned that democracy cannot exist without civil society, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. She called for a comprehensive European strategy to counter global democratic backsliding, noting that the share of the world’s population living in democracies has fallen from 51% in 2004 to 28% today.
CSD Chair Ognian Shentov said that defence and democracy can no longer be viewed separately. He argued that protecting democracy must become a core element of defence policy and that the strength of institutions is as vital to national security as military capacity. Shentov also pointed to Europe’s pursuit of technological sovereignty as a defining factor in safeguarding its democratic way of life.
NATO Deputy Spokesperson Claire Craanen, former Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev, and Bulgaria’s Permanent Representative to NATO Nikolay Milkov addressed Europe’s security challenges. Craanen described the current era as one of confrontation, with Russia posing “the most immediate and persistent threat” to NATO security. She highlighted the Alliance’s transformation since 2014 and its reinforced presence on the Eastern flank, including in Bulgaria. Tagarev underscored that societal resilience and countering disinformation are key to preventing conflict.
Juris Poikans, Latvia’s Special Envoy for Ukraine Reconstruction and the Baltic Sea Region, and Zlatin Krastev, Bulgaria’s Cyber Ambassador, stressed the need to sustain and increase support for Ukraine, both militarily and financially, as the country continues to face immense pressure on the battlefield.
National Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva warned that recent crises have led to emergency measures that risk normalizing restrictions on fundamental freedoms. She voiced concern over growing pressure on the judiciary and media freedom in parts of Europe and the stigmatization of civil society organizations.
Iliana Ivanova, member of the European Court of Auditors, and former justice minister Krum Zarkov discussed the erosion of public trust caused by weak accountability and the lack of transparency in governance. Ivanova said that effective oversight and measurable goals are essential for responsible government, while Zarkov stressed that control mechanisms lose meaning without integrity in their implementation.
Interior Minister Daniel Mitov reaffirmed that Bulgaria remains a democracy, albeit with its own challenges. He rejected claims that the country is a “captured state”, emphasizing that despite political turbulence, power has changed hands peacefully and attempts at institutional capture have been resisted.
Addressing a panel on inequality, urban communities, and environmental action at the Fortifying Freedom: Defence and Democracy Dialogue conference, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said that honest and open communication with citizens is crucial for the effective implementation of long-term environmental and urban policies. Sofia Hosts Forum on Strengthening Defence, Democracy 2025 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-11-11 18:43:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law