The Minister of Defence Anyu Angelov received the Ambassador of the Australian Union Mr Jeremy Newman and Major General Greg Melick

1 february 2010

The Minister of Defence Anyu Angelov received the Ambassador of the Australian Union Mr Jeremy Newman and Major General Greg Melick. Issues regarding elaboration of Reserve Concept and Law on Reserve Force were discussed, as well as the situation in Afghanistan and the further participation of both countries in ISAF.   

At an official ceremony in the Ministry of Defence, Anyu Angelov assumed office as Minister of Defence

27 january 2010

At an official ceremony today, 27 January 2010, the new Minister of Defence Anyu Angelov assumed office from Nikolay Mladenov. The ceremony took place in the State Hall in the Ministry of Defence.

“In the past six months, during which we worked together, we found not only the general, but I hope the correct vision for the development of the Bulgarian Defence that from now on can only be of use to the national security,” Nikolay Mladenov said in his address.  He underlined that Minister Angelov is a serious professional with a formed team and a clear political mission, and he wished him success.

The newly elected Minister of Defence Anyu Angelov thanked Nikolay Mladenov for the accomplished work in the course of the past six months. “We will work in a team as it has been until now, we will discuss all issues, however when a decision is made I will demand most strictly its implementation,” he said.  “We have to be every day with our soldiers in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Sarajevo, Baghdad, and we have to direct all our efforts to further strengthen the security measures, to achieve greater safety although we act in an exceptionally difficult situation, under war-time conditions,” Minister Angelov said. “We face awfully hard days. It is exactly through the collective will of all personnel that a minister can achieve a lot. The established good style of work has to be reinforced and improved,” he underlined.   

The Defence Ministers of Southeastern Europe Discussed Regional Security and Cooperation Issues

21 october 2009

Southeastern Europe Defence Ministers gathered today, 21st of October, in Sofia, to discuss issues of security and cooperation in the region. The international forum was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov. Host of the meeting was the Minister of Defence Nickolay Mladenov.

In his welcome address to the participants, Minister Mladenov pointed out that the thirteen-year-long military cooperation in Southeastern Europe was a unique achievement in which future investments must be made. “There are many differences between us, but the fundamental risks we are faced with, such as organized crime, illegal traffic, and corruption, are risks we need to cope with together,” said Minister Mladenov. “We need to examine very closely possible ways how to transform our part of the world, Southeastern Europe, from a periphery into a centre of discussions and debates on security and military cooperation.”

Bulgaria’s initiative regarding the accession of Serbia and Montenegro as full-fledged members of the SEDM process was given political support by all Member States. The Ministers also welcomed the joining of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an observer nation to the Multinational Peace Force of Southeastern Europe (MPFSEE) initiative.

At today’s meeting, the Heads of Delegations signed the Agreement on the Coordination Committee in the Framework of Southeastern Europe Defence Ministerial Process and the 5th Additional Protocol to the Agreement on MPFSEE, and approved a Joint Statement as a follow-up of the meeting.

The Agreement on the SEDM Coordination Committee amends the framework agreement previously in effect between the Member States, stipulating new areas of activity for the SEDM Committee and Secretariat. The document also elaborates the main directions of the individual initiatives in the framework of SEDM and the procedures related to the accession of new members to the SEDM Process.

By signing the 5th Additional Protocol to the Agreement on MPFSEE, the nations expressed their approval of the updating of some essential parameters of the MPFSEE activities, including of the structure of the Southeastern Europe Brigade’s Headquarters (SEEBRIG HQ). Its adoption also resulted in the amendment of clauses of the Agreement concerning financial, logistic and organizational changes in SEEBRIG’s activities.

By approving the Joint Statement, the Defence Ministers have confirmed the common will of the participating nations that the format remains open to accession by other nations expressing interest in participation.

The activities of the Southeastern Europe Brigade were also reviewed at the meeting, leading to the conclusion that the Brigade’s potential is greater than what has been employed so far. The Defence Ministers endorsed SEEBRIG’s annual plan and budget for 2010, as well as the financial framework and activities plan up to 2012.

The meeting was followed up by a press conference with the participation of the Minister of Defence Nickolay Mladenov, the Chairman of the Political-Military Steering Committee and Chairman of the Coordination Committee of SEDM Anyu Angelov, and the Commander of the Southeastern Europe Brigade Brigadier General Zyber Dushku.

Audio recording of the press conference

The documents and statements from the meeting will be posted on the website of SEDM Bulgarian Chairmanship.

The Minister of Defense from Southeastern Europe get together in Sofia

20 october 2009

The annual meeting of the Ministers of Defense from Southeastern Europe will be held on 21 October in Sofia. The event coincides with the Presidency of Bulgaria to the Southeastern Defence Ministerial Process.

The meeting hosted by the Bulgarian Minister of defence, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, will be attended by the Ministers of defnce of the countries participating in the process. Representatives of countries having observer status (Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia), representatives of NATO Allied Joint Force Command, Naples, and NATO Allied Joint Force Command, Brunssum, as well as the General Manager of NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency will participate in the event.

It is planned in the course of the forum, the Ministers of Defense to sign an Agreement on the coordination committee within the framework of SEDM, as well as the Fifth Additional Protocol to the Agreement on the Multinational Peace Force South-Eastern Europe. 

The participants in the events will discuss the activities of Southeastern Europe Brigade, the state of the NATO led operations in the region, the possibilities of further development of the SEDM Process as well as other topical issues of the regional cooperation in the sphere of security and defence.

The forum will be opened at 09.00 hours. At 13.00 hours, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov,  the Chairman of the Political Military Steering Committee  Mr. Anyu Angelov, and the Commander of  Southeastern Europe Europe Brigadier General  Zyber Dushku will give a press conference.

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