site.btaUPDATED President Meets Security Service Leaders over Red Sea Situation

President Rumen Radev Friday met with the leaders of the State Intelligence Agency, Antoan Gechev, of the State Agency for National Security, Plamen Tonchev, and of the Military Intelligence Service, Gen. Venelin Venev, to discuss the security situation in the Red Sea, said the President's Press Secretariat.

The sides also discussed the Middle East conflict, the security of shipping in general and diplomatic actions and coordination with partner countries so as to ensure the security of Bulgarians in the region. 

In the focus of the meeting were the potential risks of escalation of tension in the region and the situation of Bulgarian crew members of the kidnapped ships Galaxy Leader and Ruen. 

The Malta-flagged, Bulgarian-owned bulk carrier Ruen was hijacked in mid-December in the eastern Indian Ocean with eight Bulgarians among its 18-member multinational crew. The Galaxy Leader was hijacked in the Red Sea in November. 

In December 2023, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev told the press that Bulgaria was considering joining a security operation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. "Bulgaria is one of the most affected countries by what is happening in this region. Although we are not a naval power, we have a direct interest and we will look for a way to contribute to this operation. This is a big problem for shipping in general and many countries have joined this operation. It is for the purpose of ensuring the security of shipping and against these acts of terrorism," added the Minister.

The potential participation of Bulgaria in a Red Sea mission, the head of the parliamentary defence committee, Todor Gadjev, said that any Bulgarian participation outside NATO or EU missions, goes through Parliament. "Before there is a parliamentary resolution, we have nothing to discuss. Secondly, as far as I know this Bulgarian participation boils down to sending one person. Let the Defence Ministry decide and inform the government, and only then speak to the public," said he.