site.btaUPDATED President Radev: "War Raging near Bulgaria's Borders Makes Standing Up for National, Allied Interests Ever More Complicated"

"The war that has been raging near our borders for a year and a half now clearly reminds us that standing up for the national and allied interests will be ever more complicated and ever more responsible, that the significance of your vocation will be steadily increasing," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said here on Saturday.

He was addressing a commencement and commissioning ceremony for graduates of the Vasil Levski National Military University.

"We, too, will have increasing expectations of you: to establish yourselves as highly trained professionals, capable commanders and wise leaders, to activate the new combat systems that our Land Forces deserve, to enhance interoperability with our Allies, to build modern defence capabilities for reliable defence of the fatherland. I am convinced that you will cope," Radev pointed out.

"Today you devote yourself to the most important mission: the fatherland's security and sovereignty. I trust that you realize all challenges facing this importan mission of yours in an ever less predictable and ever more controversial world, fraught with a plethora of risks and threats," the head of State also said.

Attending the ceremony at the centre of the city were Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov and top brass.

The President handed the first commissioned officer's shoulder boards to 113 military students (103 full-time and 10 part-time) and to 13 cadets of the National Military University's Vasil Levski Class No. 145. A total of 136 graduates of the University's three faculties received their diplomas of higher education this year. Thirteen military students received citations as top achievers in specialist training, and 14 were handed Cum Laude citations. Thirteen cadets received their certificates of training at the Professional Sergeants College.