site.btaPresidents of Bulgaria, Italy Visit Novo Selo Training Area

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella visited the Novo Selo Training Area (Southeastern Bulgaria) on Thursday. The constructive cooperation in security and defense between the two countries and partnership development opportunities were among the main topics discussed during Mattarella’s official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Radev.

At the Novo Selo Training Area, the two Presidents were welcomed with a guard of honour by the NATO Multinational Battlegroup, which has Italy as a Framework Nation. The commander of the battlegroup, Colonel Mariano Scandurra, briefed the heads of State and the delegations they led on its mission and activities and the capabilities of the equipment and weapons on static display at the training area. In Novo Selo, Radev and Mattarella met with the Bulgarian and Italian contingents.

During his meeting with Bulgarian servicemen, Radev stressed that the highly responsible task of the Bulgarian troops within the Multinational Battlegroup contributes not only to this country’s security but also to the security and stability of the entire region.

Radev highlighted the problems faced by the Bulgarian Armed Forces related to the lack of sufficient combat training resources, the living and social conditions, the personnel shortage, the lack of resources, and state-of-the-art equipment and weapons.

The Bulgarian President also stressed the need to accelerate the process of modernization of the Armed Forces.