Border Protection, New Minehunters, and Labor Code Changes: Upcoming Council of Ministers Meeting

The Council of Ministers will hold a meeting on Wednesday, July 22, where decisions of wide significance for national security, defense, and the social sphere will be made. The preliminary agenda for the meeting includes a number of strategic projects.

Military Modernization and Security

One of the most significant points on the program is the proposal to ratify a treaty for the purchase of three new Tripartite-class minehunters from the Netherlands. They will be transferred to the Bulgarian Navy along with crew training facilities and spare parts. The acquisition of additional ammunition for the Stryker vehicles will also be discussed.

In the field of internal security, the government plans to strengthen cooperation with Greece through the creation of a joint center for police and customs interaction, as well as through the introduction of joint patrols along the internal border between the two countries. Work is also planned on determining the conditions for a new border crossing point between Bulgaria and Serbia – Kalotina 2 / Gradina 2.

Labor Migration and Legislative Changes

In terms of social planning, attention will be focused on regulating labor migration through a new agreement with Uzbekistan. The government will also consider draft amendments to key laws, including the Labor Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Law on Foreigners, and the Food Act.

Other Important Decisions

Other important issues will also be discussed at the meeting, including:

• Financing of cultural activities and national programs for 2026;
• The transformation of faculties at Burgas State University;
• Changes to the rules for implementing the Defense Act;
• Regulation of the quality of social services and the activities of the State Agency for Child Protection.

The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM and is expected to go through multiple points affecting both the country's international commitments and the internal administrative and legal framework.