site.btaChief of Defence Eftimov Confers with Turkiye's Outgoing Military Attache in Bulgaria, His Newly Appointed Successor

Bulgaria’s Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov Monday conferred with Turkiye’s outgoing military attache in this country, Colonel Murat Payas, on the occasion of the completion of his mandate, and his newly appointed successor, Lieutenant Colonel Ugur Mertoglu. "As neighbours and NATO member countries, we are strengthening our cooperation to enhance deterrence and defense capabilities, while also improving vigilance and situational awareness along NATO's Eastern flank and in the Black Sea region," Admiral Eftimov said.

The Chief of Defence thanked Colonel Payas for his efforts to develop bilateral military relations. The sides praised the bilateral cooperation focused on enhancing the operational capabilities and interoperability of the Armed Forces and the special operations forces through participation in joint exercises and training in the naval and air domains.

Admiral Eftimov expressed gratitude for Turkiye’s commitment to participate in the NATO Multinational Battlegroup on the territory of Bulgaria with Italy as a framework nation and for the future joint cooperation in conducting cross-border Air Policing operations within NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. He also highlighted the importance of the Mine Counter-measures Task Group Black Sea established by Turkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania to ensure freedom of navigation in the region.

At the end of the meeting, the Bulgarian Chief of Defence welcomed the newly appointed military attache, Lieutenant Colonel Mertoglu, and expressed readiness to work together to develop bilateral military cooperation between both countries.