News Archive for 2010

Minister Anu Anguelov welcomed the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Makoto Ito today, December 20th, at the Ministry of Defence. This is the first meeting between them since the beginning of Ambassador Ito’s mandate.

“We think extremely highly of the dynamic and long-standing excellent relations between Bulgaria and Japan, but I believe that we do also have a scope for intensification of our cooperation,” Minister Anguelov said to his guest.

Minister Anguelov and Ambassador Ito discussed the status of the bilateral relations and the prospects for cooperation between Japan and Bulgaria. Minister Anguelov acquainted H.E. Makoto Ito with the ongoing processes in the defence field and with the main inferences and conclusions contained in the White Paper on Defence and Armed Forces. They also discussed the situation in Afghanistan. “As a country considerably contributing to the ISAF operation, we highly appreciate the significant assistance and commitment on the part of your country to the processes going on in Afghanistan,” Minister Anguelov said.

Minister Anguelov and H.E. Makoto Ito also discussed the regional cooperation in South-Eastern Europe and the importance of ties between countries in the security field in the context of globalization, as well as the increasing interdependence of individual countries on one another.

Minister Anguelov presented the Japanese Ambassador with a book on Bulgaria and wished him a fruitful and successful mandate in our country.

Today, December 15th, Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tsvetkova met with Bulgarian soldiers who took part in EU’s Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Deputy Minister Tsvetkova set out the priorities of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence to the servicemen in Butmir Base, as well as with their vision of the Armed Forces’ restructuring laid out in the White Paper on Defence and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Later today the Deputy Minister also talked with the Commander of EUFOR-Althea, Major General Bernhard Bair.

The Bulgarian contingent in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 120 men strong, comprising a light infantry company safeguarding the Headquarters of the Operation; a National Support Element; a Liaison and Observation Team (LOT); and staff officers at the Operation Headquarters.

Today, December 15th, Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tsvetkova delivered a lecture entitled “Anti-Corruption Reform at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria” in the framework of a course organized for South-Eastern European servicemen. The course has been certified by NATO HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformations and is held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Deputy Minister Tsvetkova made the participants familiar with the practices aimed at reducing the risk of corruption in the defence sector which are implemented in our country and with Bulgaria’s participation in NATO’s initiative Building Integrity in Defence.

Bulgaria is currently in the second phase of implementation of the initiative and has received high praise for the counter-corruption measures taken by the Ministry of Defence. The practices we have introduced may be implemented in other countries in the region as well.

During the Defence Leadership in Building Integrity Foundation Course, organized by NATO, more than ten lectures will be given by leading experts in the area of anti-corruption measures in defence.

Today, December 14th, Minister of Defence Anu Anguelov met with his Serbian counterpart Dragan Šutanovac, who is paying an official visit to Bulgaria at Minister Anguelov’s invitation.

“This year we held a very successful joint exercise at the Shabla Firing Range, and we envisage organizing such exercise next year as well. We have also invited the Republic of Serbia to participate in the exercises we are holding together with the European command of the joint facilities on Novo Selo Range,” Defence Minister Anu Anguelov said to the press after his meeting with Minister Dragan Šutanovac. “Our talks were very fruitful and focused on various topics. I believe there is still scope for a lot to be done in a broader horizon”, Minister Anguelov added.

“I would like to thank, above all, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria for the support it has been giving us in the field of regional cooperation and integration processes, as well as for the opportunity to use the Shabla Range for live firings,” Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac said in turn. He added that the Republic of Serbia is also interested in taking part in the exercises which will be held on the Novo Selo Range.

The two Ministers characterized the joint Bulgarian-Serbian tactical live firing exercise held on Shabla Range in September as successful and expressed their willingness to organize such exercise again. In addition to joint exercises, the two Ministers discussed other options for cooperation in the field of defence between their respective countries. The exchange of trainees in military schools and academies, as well as sharing experience regarding peacekeeping missions and operations, were outlined as future options. Minister Šutanovac and Minister Anguelov also discussed possibilities for exchange of experience in the field of military medicine and telemedicine, as well as defence industry cooperation. The two Ministers agreed that Bulgaria grant Serbia the right to use Bulgarian national codification tool BULCODE.

Another highlight of the discussions was the issues of regional security and cooperation, and in particular, the future of South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Process.

The two Ministers shared experience and exchanged opinions on the ongoing reform in the Armed Forces and their transition to recruitment on a contract basis.

Minister Anu Anguelov presented his counterpart Dragan Šutanovac with a copy of the White Paper on Defence and Armed Forces.

Later today, Minister Dragan Šutanovac met with the President of the National Assembly Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva and with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov.

Tomorrow, December 14th, Deputy Chief of Defence Major General Yordan Yordanov will attend the VIP day of NATO Exercise STEADFAST JUNO 2010 in Stavanger, Norway.

The participants in STEADFAST JUNO 2010 are trained in deploying NATO forces when planning and conducting operations relating to crisis response, peacemaking, security and humanitarian aid.

The exercise is being conducted using deployable forces at six locations simultaneously under the supervision of the Joint Forces Command, Naples, Italy.

Yesterday, December 9th, Minister Anu Anguelov participated in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council, involving Defence Ministers of EU Member States, which was held in Brussels.

Among the topics covered at the opening session of the forum, marked also by the participation of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, were issues relating to the EU-NATO cooperation in capability development. Information was exchanged on capability development projects in two areas; that of Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices and that of Medical Support. At the working session the participants approved the EDA’s performance report for 2010 and adopted its budget for 2011, as well as a Council guidance on the work of EDA for 2011.

A main focus of the discussions was the Ghent Initiative regarding pooling and sharing of capabilities among the EU Member States in the conditions of restricted defence budgets. Minister Anguelov supported the initiative stressing in his speech the willingness of our country to strengthen regional cooperation in capability development, through the elaboration of joint projects between Balkan countries.

Minister Anguelov also participated in a meeting of the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency in Defence Ministers format. The EDA Work Programme 2011 was approved at the meeting, as well as Joint Investment Programme on Capability Development regarding NBC Force Protection, and the EU Radio Spectrum Policy Programme. Among the issues discussed at the meeting were the pooling and sharing of capabilities and the Single European Sky (SES) initiative and EU defence research.

The participants in the meeting were united in their support for the first independent session of the Ministers of Defence and advise them to continue the good practice.

“In NATO’s Strategic Concept, we the Member States are united around the need for clear definition of the security threat arising from the use of cyber technology. The conclusion was that cyber attacks may threaten fundamental interests regarding the security of the Alliance,” Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tsvetkova said today, December 9th, in her address to the participants in the national forum entitled NATO Cyber Defence Policies, and added that this Conference was very well timed, coming at a point when cyber security is a priority in NATO's New Strategic Concept, and only days before our National Security Strategy is effected.

Deputy Minister Tsvetkova referred to Paragraph 31 of the National Security Strategy on cyber security, and pointed out that for the first time we are abreast of the most recent views regarding modern threats.

“The Ministry of Defence has been working hard on guaranteeing electronic information security. In pursuance of the policy of our Allies, we are establishing a Communication and Information Systems Centre, which may gradually develop into a structure of importance to state agencies,” she added.

Among the issues to be discussed during the Conference, which is taking place at the Central Military Club, are the possibilities and practices aimed at countering cyber threats.

This two-day forum is organized by the Institute for European Initiatives with NATO’s support and conjointly with the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria, and the Association of the Officers in the Reserve Atlantic.

Among the participants are representatives of state agencies, non-governmental organizations, companies, students, and journalists.

Minister Anu Anguelov will participate in a meeting of the EU Foreign (Defence)Affairs Council, involving Defence Ministers of EU Member States, which will be held in Brussels today, December 9th.

The Defence Ministers’ discussion topics will mainly cover two areas of EU security and defence agenda: capability development and EU military operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.

A main focus of the discussions will be the Ghent Initiative regarding pooling and sharing of capabilities among the EU Member States in the conditions of restricted defence budgets.

Minister Anguelov will also participate in a meeting of the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency in Defence Ministers format.

Deputy Minister of Defence Valentin Radev opened today, December 8th, a round table on “The draft of the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Context of Good Governance.” The forum is organized by the George C. Marshall Associations - Bulgaria.

In his address, Deputy Minister Radev made the participants aware of the priorities of the Ministry of Defence’s policy. “In its activities, the leadership of the Ministry has always been guided by the principles of continuity, professionalism, partnership and vision for the future of the Bulgarian Armed Forces,” he emphasised.

Among the participants at the round table was Susan Sutton, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Sofia, and Dietrich Becker, Permanent Representative, Embassy of the Federal. Republic of Germany.

The debate was joined by scientists from the UK, the Bulgarian Academy of Science, various national universities, G. S. Rakovski National Defence Academy.

Today, December 7th, Deputy Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Minko Kavaldzhiev received the Commandant of NATO Defence College in Rome Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter Loeser.

“During their education at the Defence College, Bulgarian servicemen gain considerable experience and knowledge. This is why it is important that our good cooperation continues in the future,” commented Deputy Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Minko Kavaldzhiev.

As Commandant of NATO Defence College in Rome Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter Loeser said, it is necessary that Bulgarian servicemen continue to receive their education at NATO Defence College in Rome, within the Black Sea Initiative

Vice Admiral Minko Kavaldzhiev also acquainted Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter Loeser with the Force Structure Review.

Tomorrow, December 7th, Deputy Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Minko Kavaldzhiev is meeting the Commandant of NATO Defence College in Rome Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter Loeser. The meeting takes place within the framework of the three-day visit of the students of the Senior Course of NATO Defence College in Rome. G. S. Rakovski National Defence Academy hosts the delegation, which comprises representatives of 32 Allied countries. During their field trip, the future military and political leaders of NATO will be briefed by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Remarkable progress in counter-corruption has been made over the past year. Our team was impressed with the dedication with which the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and all the personnel work on the implementation of the practices aimed at mitigating the risk of corruption in the defence sector. The Minister of Defence and all employees show strong will to tackle this issue and to continue working in that direction,” said Mr. Stewart Eldon at a press conference today, December 3rd. Mr. Eldon heads the NATO team which is visiting our country for the purpose of assessing the practices implemented with regard to mitigating the risk of corruption in the defence sector.

“Congratulations go to the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, since Bulgaria has been the second country to join NATO’s Building Integrity in Defence Initiative, which is organized on a voluntary basis,” he added. “The systemic work towards improvement of counter-corruption activities has relatively recently become a topical issue for NATO, since 2007, but it is a particularly important one in the conditions of global financial crisis,” Mr. Eldon pointed out.

Mr. Eldon said Bulgaria chose a particularly good time to join the initiative, as it coincides with the restructuring and reorganization of the Armed Forces. The head of the NATO team also stressed the role played by the White Paper, which gives a clear direction to the restructuring and shows that the leadership of the Ministry of Defence is fully aware of the corruption risks and the measures needed to be taken in order to counter such risks. Mr. Eldon also spoke of the considerable contribution Bulgaria made to missions abroad, a contribution highly valued by NATO.

Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tsvetkova announced that the team had had meetings at the Council of Ministers, the Parliament, with representatives not only of the ruling party but also of the opposition, as well as representatives of leading organizations of the non-governmental sector.

At the press conference, Mr. Eldon praised highly all functional levels at the Ministry for their efforts on introducing a system to counter corruption. “We were able to meet not only with the leadership but also with experts from all structures. We heard their opinion on the anti-corruption practices within the Ministry, and by means of the interviews we held, we were able to assess the implementation of such practices,” Mr. Eldon pointed out. He announced that a report to NATO is to be prepared by the team, which will then be sent to Bulgaria via official channels, and which will contain not only assessment but also recommendations. “It is my hope that those recommendations come handy to further work, and I am confident that you will carry on working as actively in the future,” Sir Stewart said in conclusion.

Today, December 2nd, Defence Minister Anu Anguelov met with Mr. Stewart Eldon, head of the NATO assessing the anti-corruption practices in the field of defence.

Mr. Eldon gave a high praise of the Ministry’s policy aimed at countering corrupt practices, and of the progress made in this direction. He emphasized the fact that changes were visible and countering corruption in the defence sector was marked by concrete achievements.

Minister Anguelov shared that upon assuming office he ran into a substantial legacy of problem issues and vicious practices, whose tackling is a priority of his, and a priority of the whole Government.

He underlined that opportunities for corruption are greatest at the highest levels, and this was precisely why the leadership of the Ministry has given priority to the introduction of specific measures aimed at the high position officials responsible for decision-making and budget spending.

The stakeholders were unanimous that it is the good practices implemented by the leadership of the Ministry that convey a strong message to all the personnel and thus will trickle down to all lower levels. This process will be accompanied by training in anti-corruption activities and in awareness of the Code of Ethics introduced at the Ministry.

Participants in the meeting were also Avgustina Tsvetkova, who is Deputy Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Permanent Anti-Corruption Council, Deputy Minister Valentin Radev, Chief of Defence General Simeon Simeonov and Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence Nikolay Milkov.

Tomorrow, December 3rd, a press conference will be held at the Ministry of Defence on issues related to the report to be prepared by the NATO team assessing the practices related to mitigating risks of corruption in the defence sector, within the Building Integrity in Defence Initiative.

The briefings will be led by Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tsvetkova and Mr. Stewart Eldon, head of the NATO team.
The briefings begin at 11.30am at the Ministry of Defence.

Defence Minister Anu Anguelov presented H.E. Mr. Jorge Fuentes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to Bulgaria, with the Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Defence Saint George, 1st Class. The award was presented for the Ambassador’s contribution to the development and promotion of bilateral relations in the military field between the two countries.

In his address to H.E. Mr. Fuentes, Minister Anguelov said, “Awarding you with the highest decoration of the Ministry of Defence, allow me to express my gratitude for your effort and personal contribution to the development of excellent defence relations. Your two mandates n Bulgaria coincided with two events of particular historical importance to our country: accession to NATO and to the European Union. On the occasion of your final leave, I reiterate my congratulations and assure you once again that will always be warmly welcomed in Bulgaria.

H.E. Mr. Fuentes was particularly satisfied with the award of no other than the Medal of Honour Saint George, the saint whose name he bore. “I do not know if I deserve the honour of such a high commendation, but I do know for sure that I will be honoured to wear it,” H.E. Mr. Fuentes said. He also mentioned the events of key importance to Bulgaria that took place during his mandates and thanked for a most fruitful cooperation.

Earlier today, Minister Anu Anguelov received the Ambassador of the French Republic to Bulgaria H.E. Philippe Autiē. They discussed ongoing processes within NATO and in Afghanistan, as well as future possibilities for bilateral cooperation. Minister Anguelov acquainted French Ambassador H.E. Mr. Autiē with the White Paper on Defence and Armed Forces.

A NATO team assessing practices aimed at mitigating corruption risk in the defence sector has arrived to Bulgaria on a three-day visit in implementation of the Alliance’s Building Integrity in Defence Initiative. The team also comprises representatives of the non-governmental organization Transparency International UK, specializing in countering corruption and conflict of interest in the defence and security field. The team is led by Mr. Stewart Eldon, former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to NATO.

The visit kicked off with a plenary session at which Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tsvetkova outlined the highlights of the Permanent Anti-Corruption Council and the unambiguous goal that the Ministry of Defence function in the conditions of transparency, accountability and responsibility with a clearly formulated anti-corruption orientation.

The Building Integrity in Defence Initiative was launched by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in November 2007 and is aimed at promoting good practices and providing national government institutions with practical tools to mitigate the risk of corruption in the security sector through strengthening transparency and accountability.

Within the framework of its participation in the Initiative, Bulgaria completed the self-assessment process aimed at assessing corruption risk in the field of Defence in July 2010. As a final stage of the self-assessment process, the NATO team will hold meetings with heads of directorates of the Ministry of Defence, with representatives of the structures directly subordinated to the Minister of Defence and with representatives of the Armed Forces. Upon completion of the final analysis, an official NATO Report will be drawn up and subsequently submitted to the Minister of Defence.

The NATO team held meetings with the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and with the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, as well as with the Chairperson of the Foreign Policy and Defence Parliamentary Committee and representatives of the Parliamentary Committee on Countering Corruption and Conflict of Interest and Parliamentary Ethics.

A meeting will be held with Minister of Defence Anu Anguelov and with Chief of Defence Gen. Simeon Simeonov.

Defence Minister Anu Anguelov is to take part in the Annual TechNet Sofia 2010 International Conference under the title: “Technical and Technological Support for the National Security Strategy and Defence Strategy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria”

Tomorrow, November 25th, Defence Minister Anu Anguelov will take part in the opening of the 18th International Conference entitled: “Technical and Technological Support for the National Security Strategy and Defence Strategy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria”, organized by AFCEA Sofia Chapter.

This two-day international forum will be held under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov and of the Minister of Defence Anu Anguelov.

Among the participants of the forum are representatives of government institutions and of the business. Minister Anguelov will deliver a report entitled “Weapons, Equipment and Technologies: Material Prerequisite for High-Performance Combat Capabilities.” Other participants include Deputy Minister of Defence Valentin Radev and Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Konstantin Popov.

The opening of the International Conference is at 9.00am on November 25th, in the Central Military Club!

A Technical Agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) was signed today, November 19th, at the premises of the Ministry of Defence.

“This Agreement will help synchronize the model of contract management with that used by NATO. It is of great importance to us to gather experience by means of this Agreement,” said Deputy Minister of Defence Valentin Radev after the signature.

The Technical Agreement was elaborated on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on Communication and Information Systems signed between the Ministry of Defence and NC3A in Sofia on February 24th, 2010. Its implementation will promote the development of expertise in contract management, the application of modern approaches and tools resulting in better effectiveness and focusing on the international projects in which Bulgaria participates.

The Technical Agreement was signed by Dr. Velizar Shalamanov, Director, Directorate Sponsor Account NATO & Nations, and Col. Anton Lazarov, Director, Defence Investment Directorate.

The Minister of Defense Anu Angelov opened the conference on 26 October 2010.

“The aim of this conference is to provide a tribune for people having rich experience, different knowledge and interests, and allow them to share their views and to debate on how Europe could do and achieve more in order to support the people of Afghanistan in their  aspiration to build and  be capable of protecting free and democratic Afghanistan by themselves. This is an exceptionally difficult task that has a historic significance,” Minister Angelov said before the participants in the conference. “We all want to see a new and stable state that provides its citizens with new opportunities for economic and social prosperity,” the Minister emphasized in his address.

You can read the the complete text of the address of the Minister of Defense here.

Bulgaria hosted the twenty-fourth meeting of the Politico-Military Steering Committee of the Multinational Peace Force of South-Eastern Europe (PMSC/MPFSEE) and the twenty-third meeting of the South-Eastern Defence Ministerial Coordination Committee (SEDM-CC). The meetings are scheduled for today, 13 September, until 15 September, in Sofia, under the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the political-military regional forum South-Eastern Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM) process for the period 2009 – 2011.

“SEDM is one of the key regional cooperation forums in the field of security. So far, it has played a significant role in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in the region. We should continue encouraging the efforts aimed at peace and stability, cooperation and good neighbourly relations in South-Eastern Europe, and we should improve our military capabilities in order to tackle the security threats of the 21st century. It remains our commitment that SEEBRIG becomes a more effective and valuable factor to improving the practical cooperation,” said Deputy Minister Tzvetkova in her opening speech.

Some of the issues to be discussed by the countries at the forum are the activities and prospects for the South Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) and the opportunities for the further development of SEDM, as well as other relevant issues pertaining to regional defence and secuity cooperation. The sessions of the SEDM Process are chaired by PMSC/SEDM-CC Chairperson and Deputy Minister of Defence Avgustina Tzvetkova. Among the participants are representatives of the SEDM Member States, NATO Commands in Naples and Lisbon, as well as experts from Agencies of the Alliance.

The Tactical Live-Firing Exercise ESEN-2010 (Autumn-2010) has been completed successfully. The Exercise, which took place at Shabla Air Defence Range involved formations of the three Armed Services of the Bulgarian Army, who for the first time conducted joint live firings together with Air Defence units of the Serbian Army. The total number of participants comprised a total of 1056 Bulgarian and 61 Serbian servicemen. The Tactical Exercise included experimental firings on the part of the fighter aviation with crews from Graf Ignatievo Air Base using MiG-29, and experimental firings, firing for record and live firings using surface-to-air missile systems: SA-6 Kub (SA-6 Gainful); SA-2 Volkhov (SA-2 Guideline); SA-3 Neva (SA-3 Goa); SA-7 Strela-2M (SA-7 Grail); and SA-8 Osa (SA-8 Gecko).

Lieutenant General Atanas Samandov, Commander of Joint Operational Command, was Planning Officer of the Exercise, and Brigadier General Rumen Radev, Deputy Chief of Air Force, was the Officer Conducting the Exercise.

During the Exercise, the Bulgarian formations refined practices which would be typical of an operation related to the protection of the air and naval sovereignty of the Republic of Bulgaria. The real-time combat live firing activities conducted by the formations of the Armed Forces of Bulgaria and Serbia enabled them to apply and perfect under field conditions the multinational environment operation procedures.

The final stage of the exercise was attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Defence Minister Anu Anguelov, Deputy Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Minko Kavaldzhiev, Land Forces Chief Major General Stefan Vasilev, Air Force Chief Major General Konstantin Popov and Navy Chief Rear Admiral Plamen Manushev.

Military Servicemen from the Bulgarian Contingent participating in the NATO operation in Afghanistan have made a donation to a home for the war injured and an orphanage in a district in Kabul. Bulgarian servicemen provided water, blankets, bed linen and school supplies. The donation is a token of respect for the local population and was given to the Mayor of the district, Muhammad, and to the Headmaster of the school, Rahman, in the presence of children from the orphanage and hundreds of citizens of Kabul.

At an official ceremony held today, 31st of August, Major General Stefan Vasilev took over the post Land Forces Chief from Lieutenant General Ivan Dobrev.

Major General Stefan Vasilev has graduated from the Vasil Levski National Military University in Veliko Tarnovo. He has consecutively occupied command posts in the Land Forces at all levels from platoon commander to Chief of the Land Forces Chief of Staff.

Brigadier General Neyko Neykov, the new Land Forces First Deputy Chief, was also presented at the ceremony. He took over the post from Major General Dimitar Dimitrov.

Earlier today, at the Ceremonial Hall of the Defence Ministry, Defence Minister Anu Anguelov awarded the Medal of Honor of the Ministry of Defense “Saint George”, First Grade, to Lieutenant General Ivan Dobrev, Land Forces Chief; Major General Dimitar Dimitrov, Land Forces First Deputy Chief; Rear Admiral Simeon Tsekov, Deputy Commander of the Joint Operational Command; and Major General Plamen Studenkov, Chief of Military Information Service.

The high-ranking military officers were decorated for meritorious service to the homeland defence and on the occasion of their discharge from regular military service.

Our first year was a year of strategic rethink and refocusing on defence capabilities under conditions of transparency, accountability and considerably limited resources, said Defence Minister Anu Anguelov at a press conference held today, 30 July, at the G. S. Rakovski National Defence Academy.

We have launched the first Strategic Force Review, which employs the top-down approach and is not aimed at reaching “the absolute minimum possible” or at dismissing staff as an end in itself; instead, it effectively assesses the tasks not only of the Ministry of Defence and its structures but also of the Army, the changed security environment and the taxpayer’s financial capacity, Minister Anguelov pointed out.

The strength of the Bulgarian Army will be reduced, but not radically, not as drastically as some would imagine, and not in the numbers quoted by some media, Minister Anguelov revealed. Later on, he specified that according to the preliminary calculations of the working groups, the reduction in the Army’s strength may be between three and five thousand of the current personnel of the Bulgarian Army.

What is most important is that the changes in strength will be the result of new or strengthened defence capabilities and of disposal of defence capabilities no longer needed. The analysis is based on in-depth consideration of possible scenarios for the development of the geostrategical situation around Bulgaria. On the basis of those scenarios, specific tasks have been identified to be performed by the services and the units of the Bulgarian Army. This will determine which of those will be kept, which will be disposed of, and which will be developed and possibly considerably increased in strength, some even by more than 25%.

We are aimed at making the formations more compact and effective. We will be trying to retain the main garrisons of the Bulgarian Army. This is one of the tasks we've set ourselves.

What we are set to achieve is that the country has a single set of forces, which will be adequate to the new threats within the financial resources available.

As a result of the Review, until the end of the year and over the next 2-3 years we will be working in several main directions.

Firstly, we see a possibility for essential reorganization of the command structure of the Bulgarian Army so that the same structure will be able to perform tasks both in peace time and under the conditions of crisis and in war time.

This will result in change in the designation of some operational command units, change in the subordination of individual operational units and disposing of some operational units established in 2009 which we deem inapt and not effective enough to continue to exist. What we have in mind is discarding the Logistics and Support Headquarters.

Reorganization of the Land Forces combat units is in store, including consolidation aimed at greater completeness, compactness, independent logistics and options for an independent budget of the units in 2012. For that purpose, the number of the Land Forces brigades will be reduced by one, and new structures will be established – to some extent, we are going back to the regimental organization as regards forces providing combat support and sustainment to the Army.

As regards the Navy, we are going to dispense with a branch of force – we are going to decommission the submarine we have. We are also going to dispose of several ships which have reached the end of their service life.

With reference to the Air Force, we are focusing on the greater compactness of the ground air defence. We are going to redeploy a unit of Anti-aircraft and Missile Forces to an area in the vicinity of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. We are going to phase out of service types of air defence missile systems delivered several decades ago. Over the next few years we will resume the Air Force modernization process.

We envisage changes in the education structure aimed at greater flexibility, as well as reorganization of the administration of the Military Academy and the higher military schools.

The final decision will be made at the Defence Council to be held on the 26th of August, after which we will submit for adoption by the National Assembly a draft White Paper on Defence and the Armed Forces. We will start working on a plan for the development of the Armed Forces, which is to be completed by the end of the year. We will start the restructuring and reorganization process as early as 2011, remaining faithful to the top-down principle, and we expect to complete the process in 2013, and to enable the structures to start work in 2014.

The final stage of the national naval exercise involving foreign participation BREEZE/CERTEX 2010 was attended today, 23rd of July, by Defence Minister Anu Anguelov and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov. The participants in the activities comprised servicemen from the Navy and representatives of the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers, the Bulgarian Red Cross District Council, the Varna District Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, the Border Police Regional Directorate, the Fire Safety and Rescue Unit, the Civil Protection District Administration, the Regional Centre 112 Territorial Directorate, the Healthcare Regional Centre, and teams of medical doctors from the Varna Military Hospital.

Minister Anguelov and Minister Tsvetanov pointed out the excellent interaction between the institutions during the exercise.

The tasks drilled today included ship convoy, anti-ship and anti-aircraft defense, aiding a ship in distress, maritime search and rescue operation carried out together with Border Police Directorate General and Maritime Administration Executive Agency.

Naval exercise involving foreign participation BREEZE/CERTEX 2010 starts today, 16th of July, in Varna, the exercise, which will continue until 25th of July, will involve ships from the Navies of Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, Turkey and the USA.

Over 15 battle and auxiliary ships and boats of the Bulgarian Navy are participating in the exercise. Several episodes entail the participation of Su-25 Frogfoot of the Bulgarian Air Force.

The main objective of BREEZE/CERTEX 2010 is to improve the interoperability of a naval component of a Multinational Operational Unit in crisis response. The exercise uses a fictional scenario employing elements from crisis situations in various regions around the world.

The exercise will cover various options for the command of NATO-led multinational forces, interaction between the Navy and other government institutions and non-governmental organizations in the event of a crisis response operation in a multinational environment, fire response activities and elimination of consequences, evacuation of civilians and first-aid provision.

BREEZE/CERTEX 2010 provides a good opportunity to assess the interoperability of the Bulgarian Navy vessels: the frigate Verni and the minehunter Tsibar.

The planning of BREEZE/CERTEX 2010 was conducted under the leadership of Navy Chief Rear Admiral Plamen Manushev and Commodore Emil Eftimov is exercise director. Commodore Emil Eftimov is also Commander of the ship operational unit. An on-shore directing staff/exercise control centre (EXCON) has been formed under the command of Captain (Navy) Ivelin Kaloyanov from the Navy Staff.

As of today, 14 July, Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) begins its thirteen-day visit to Varna. SNMCMG2 is composed of five ships from Greece (two vessels), Italy, Spain and Turkey.

The ships will take part in the international naval exercise Breeze/Certex 2010.

Captain Georgios Pelekanakis, Commander SNMCMG2, will give a press conference on board Flagship HS Aliakmon tomorrow, 15 July.

Journalists wishing to attend the press conference are invited to meet outside the Navy HQ at 10:00 a.m. on 15 July 2010.

ransport to the ship will be organized.

Today, 12 July, at an official ceremony, the Minister of Defence Anu Anguelov awarded military and civilian personnel of the National Guards Unit on the occasion of the 131st anniversary of its establishment.

The Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Defence Saint George, Second Grade, was awarded to the Commander of the National Guards Unit Colonel Boyan Stavrev for high achievement and impeccable service. Eleven servicemen from the representative military formation received Letters of Commendation.

”I highly appreciate your service and the activities of the National Guards Unit. This formation is an epitome of the traditions and best qualities exemplified by the Bulgarian soldier. Congratulations on your anniversary, on behalf of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, on behalf of the Government, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence”, said Minister Anguelov in his congratulatory address to the military and civilian personnel of the National Guards Unit.

Earlier the same day, Minister Anguelov attended the official wreath-laying ceremony to the Monument to the guardsmen fallen in the wars and the battles for the liberation of Bulgaria.