(ANSA) - BELGRADE, SEP 8 - Bulgaria's active role in NATO ensures our national security and strengthens our defence capabilities, Prime Minister Rosen Zheliazkov stated during a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, who is visiting Sofia. He stated, "Bulgaria supports all of the decisions made at the Hague Summit last June, particularly the strengthening of deterrence and defence of the eastern flank with a focus on the Black Sea, increased defence investments, and continued collective support for Ukraine." Addressing regional security, including NATO and EU military mobility, Zheliazkov emphasised the importance of completing Pan-European Corridor VIII, which connects the Adriatic Sea from Italy via Albania and North Macedonia to Bulgaria on the Black Sea. "Bulgaria is one of the NATO allies whose consistent actions promote and strengthen its unity," Radmila Shekerinska stated. "Your country," she continued, "has extraordinary potential for the development of its defence industry. The most recent initiatives related to the Safe mechanism, as well as the recently announced contract with Rheinmetall, are excellent examples of this," Shekerinska stated. (ANSA).