site.btaAdmiral Emil Eftimov Describes Bilateral Military Cooperation with Turkey as Good with Potential for Development

(BTA) - Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov assessed Bulgaria's bilateral military cooperation with Turkey as good and with potential for development.

In an interview with BTA after his visit to Ankara at the invitation of his counterpart, the Chief of General Staff of Turkey, General Yasar Guler, Admiral Eftimov noted that the invitation and his visit to Bulgaria's southern neighbour demonstrated the desire of both countries to maintain a fruitful bilateral dialogue in the military area.

''As our ally in the Alliance and Bulgaria's immediate neighbour, Turkey plays an important role in tackling today's security challenges. In addition to sharing a common border, both countries face identical challenges, and why not - common threats, including growing military imbalances in the Black Sea, unresolved conflicts, illegal immigrant trafficking, terrorism, cyber threats and hybrid actions. Against this background, it is extremely important to maintain a regular military-strategic dialogue, based on openness in sharing positions and trust in the implementation of bilateral military cooperation activities,'' said the Chief of Defence.

In the interview, Eftimov noted that Bulgaria has always been among the countries insisting on an increased presence and visibility of the Alliance in the Black Sea region, and this country's position is that it will ensure the deterrence of hostilities and defence of the region. The Chief of Defence recalled that military security is based on three pillars - defence within NATO, national defence and the development of the armed forces, and relations with neighbours.

''If we look deeply, we will find many opportunities for cooperation,'' said Admiral Eftimov on relations with Turkey in the military area, giving examples of preparing the Special Operations Forces, participating in exercises of the armed forces, exchanging personnel and conducting courses, conducting military-political and military-strategic consultations. ''We can also include topics such as Bulgaria's proposal to host the regional maritime presence - the NATO Regional Maritime Coordination Centre in Varna, the conduct of cross-border airspace operations, maritime patrol flights, consultations about and during meetings of the Alliance's Military Committee, and others,'' said Admiral Emil Eftimov.

Eftimov noted that as a NATO member, Bulgaria participates in the sharing and exchange of information with its allies, and in this regard, the Maritime Coordination Centre was established in Varna in response to current and expected future challenges in the Black Sea region. It is operating successfully and is constantly improving its capabilities, and by the end of 2022 will achieve full operational capabilities. ''Our efforts are aimed at transforming it into a NATO Regional Maritime Coordination Centre, as an element of the structure of the Alliance's forces, which will contribute to improving situational awareness in the region,'' said Admiral Eftimov.

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