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President Rumen Radev: Guaranteeing Security in Today’s Dynamic and Insecure World Requires Adequate Defense Capabilities

The Bulgarian Head of State visited the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, UK

NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) highly appreciates Bulgaria’s active participation in the annual Sea Guardian operation in the Mediterranean Sea and also our country’s contribution to the Alliance’s Standing Maritime Groups. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a joint news conference with the Commander of the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, after the two held a meeting at the Allied Maritime Command Headquarters. The Bulgarian Head of State and Supreme Commander-in-Chief visited the Allied Maritime Command, where all of the Alliance’s afloat activities are planned and controlled. This marked the beginning of Rumen Radev’s visit to Great Britain.

Among the topics President Radev and Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone discussed during their meeting were the joint operations and exercises our country takes part in and also the cooperation of Bulgaria’s Naval Forces within NATO.

Currently in this dynamic and insecure world, security is guaranteed by building adequate defense capabilities. This is our basic task as allies, President Rumen Radev said taking a question about the security environment in the Black Sea region and the measures the Alliance takes.

We noted the excellent way this year’s Bulgarian Breeze 2018 national naval exercise with international participation was organized and conducted, in which 25 combat and auxiliary ships from 11 countries and 2,300 servicemen in total took part and which was entirely prepared and led by commanders from the Bulgarian Navy, Rumen Radev said. The President further noted that Allied Maritime Forces show a keen interest in participating in the military exercise since it provides excellent opportunities for testing different maritime security operation scenarios in response to crises and improving interoperability.

Rumen Radev and Clive Johnstone also discussed the Sea Guardian operation in the Mediterranean Sea the aim of which is to uphold freedom of navigation, and also to prevent and counteract terrorism. The Vice Admiral extended gratitude for our country’s participation in the missions, exercises and activities carried out under MARCOM’s leadership.

 Clive Johnstone highly appreciated the Bulgarian staff officers holding high positions in the Headquarters. Head of State Rumen Radev met our compatriots working in the Allied Maritime Command and said that the experience they have gained increases the interoperability of our Naval Forces.