site.btaAdmiral Eftimov Attends Balkan Countries' Chiefs of Defence Conference in Durres

The Bulgarian Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, took part in the 17th Conference of the Chiefs of Defence/General Staffs (CHODs) of the Balkan Countries here on Thursday, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry reported. The representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkiye, and Montenegro discussed the challenges in attracting and keeping young people in the Armed Forces.

In his speech, Admiral Eftimov said that people are the most valuable resource in defence and a key component in forming every military capability. Attracting and keeping people in defence by developing their skills and preparation is a critically important requirement for achieving every strategic goal in the field of security and defence, he noted.

He put an emphasis on the need to conduct a consistent policyA on increasing the prestige of the military profession. Admiral Eftimov underscored the need of applying specific measures directed at motivating people in defence. Also important is to have access to new technologies in the military training programmes that meet contemporary requirements for battle actions.

On the sidelines of the 17th Balkan Countries CHODs Conference, the Bulgarian Chief of Defence held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Albania, Greece, Romania, Turkiye, and the Republic of North Macedonia. They discussed matters related to bilateral military cooperation and regional security of common interest to the armed forces of the participating countries.

Admiral Eftimov put an emphasis on the accelerated construction of Pan-European Corrido VIII. A large part of the transport corridor in the neighbouring Balkan countries has been included in the TEN-T as part of the new European transport corridor Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean. The future development of this infrastructure project has a huge significance for military mobility, a quick reaction in case of crises, and support the economic development, peace, and stability in the region," the Bulgarian Chief of Defence said.