site.btaMilitary Contingent Welcomed after KFOR Assignment in Blagoevgrad

An official ceremony was held in Blagoevgrad to welcome a contingent that was part of Operational Reserve Force of the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo (KFOR). More than 100 Bulgarian servicemen returned after a four-month mission. 

Addressing the servicemen, Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces Command Brigadier General Hristo Ganetsovski said that every return of a Bulgarian contingent is a symbol of a victory.  Brigadier General Ganetsovski said that the participation of Bulgarian military contingents in various missions and operations abroad is an expression of the increased international reputation of Bulgaria, which is due to the excellent performance of the servicemen.

"Today we are not only witnesses but also participants in geopolitical changes taking place both in the country and in the world, which leads to new challenges, responsibilities and obligations," said Ganetsovski, recalling that for the second time the members of the Third Brigade Command are participating in the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo (KFOR).

The servicemen were welcomed by Blagoevgrad Mayor Metodi Baikushev and Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop. The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces Brigadier General Stanimir Hristov, as well as the Deputy Governor of Blagoevgrad Hristo Angelov, the Chairman of the Municipal Council  in Blagoevgrad Radoslav Taskov, the Director of the Regional Police Directorate Commissioner Valentin Vassilev, the Head of the Border Police Department Vladimir Karadakov and others. 

By order of Defence Minister, Atanas Zapryanov the servicemen who were welcomed after their mission in Kosovo were awarded.