NEWS

President Rumen Radev: After Decades of Neglect, the Bulgarian Army Should Take its Worthy Place in Society and in the System of Bulgarian Statehood

On the Day of Bravery the Head of State called for giving due credit to all Bulgarians who struggle for truth, rise up against iniquity and stagnation and defend democracy  

“After decades of neglect, the Bulgarian Army should take its worthy place in society and in the system of Bulgarian statehood.” This is what President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Rumen Radev said in his solemn speech delivered on the occasion of the Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Army, after he reviewed the formation of the representative blocks and greeted them on the occasion of the public holiday. The Head of State emphasized that this will happen not only in the face of external challenges and our commitments as allies, but also because our army is called upon to be a pillar of stability, statehood and constitutional order, as an institution enjoying a high level of public trust and which should be protected from all kinds of political interference.

Rumen Radev was adamant that the Bulgarian Army is a school for patriotism and courage, served by personalities committed to their fatherland, who have one ideal – a free, strong and prosperous Bulgaria. “We owe them not only recognition but also better conditions so that they can conduct in a worthy manner their difficult, risky and highly responsible mission,” he added.

“On the Day of Bravery we should give due credit to all Bulgarians who struggle for truth, rise up against iniquity and stagnation and defend democracy,” the Head of State called for and added that the hope for a fairer, more humane and prosperous Bulgaria is pinned to them. “Few are the countries that have preserved their name, faith and language through centuries of vicissitudes and trials and if Bulgaria is one of them today, this is because our people has experienced and realized the need for unity of sword, spirit and words,” Rumen Radev further said in his speech.

The chronicles keep countless victories of our army in defense of our people, national unity and independence, the President said. “Even in the most difficult days of trial, when others evaded responsibility, the Bulgarian soldier was the last self-sacrificing barrier defending statehood,” the Head of State said and added that this is the reason why for the Bulgarians the army has always been the symbol of honor and courage, valor and statehood.  
“In the past decades our army went through a lot of experiments and deficiency, downsizing and political arrogance. Nevertheless, it invariably managed to survive because the people with epaulettes are aware of their mission,” Rumen Radev said. Today, when we once and for all dispelled the illusions that the membership in defense unions without developing our own capabilities, is a sufficient condition to guarantee security, when our armed forces are finally in the focus of the state’s financial policy, we are facing yet another trial – to transform in an effective and efficient manner the money allocated to the army into modern defense capabilities, the President commented. Rumen Radev noted that this goal requires a clear vision, transparency and respect for the military expertise and added that the complexity of the contemporary military science and technology requires that not only an intense dialogue be held between the state and the senior military leadership, but also that the Bulgarian generals should take an active and principled position. “After all, silence today may prove expensive to the servicemen and the taxpayers tomorrow,” the President emphasized.