site.btaPresident Radev: New Risks and Threats Require Development of Effective Defence Capacity

President Radev: New Risks and Threats Require Development of Effective Defence Capacity

Sofia, March 8 (BTA) - "Today we should be aware that the new risks and threats require development of effective defence capacity to guarantee Bulgaria's role as a reliable and full-fledged partner in the Alliance, as well as its own security," President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Roumen Radev said. He was speaking at Wednesday's ceremony at which he handed Lieutenant-General's epaulettes to Bulgaria's new Chief of Defence, Major General Andrei Botsev.

Radev said that in the present disturbing geopolitical situation, the role of the armed forces in guaranteeing the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the country will increase further. "These times require development of real skills and dedicated measures to raise the country's own defence capacity in parallel with the interoperability with the NATO allies," the President said.

Radev expressed confidence that the new Chief of Defence will do his best to contribute to the modernization of Bulgaria's armed forces. He also called for an increased role of the military expertise in supporting the state leadership, both in respect to a faster increase of defence budget but also in respect to increased expenditure efficiency.

The Head of State is convinced that the Chief of Defence will undertake all measures that are needed to deal with the problem of undermanning in the armed forces, to boost the prestige of the military profession and to motivate servicemen.