site.btaMilitary Security Advisor to the President: Strong Security Requires Constant Vigilance in Air, Land, and Sea

When it comes to security, there are no runners-up, only winners or losers, Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, Military Security Advisor to the President, said in Varna on Thursday. Petev spoke to journalists before the opening of the third edition in 2024 of the annual Black Sea Security conference. The event is hosted by Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna.

"All elements of national security—air, land, and sea—are crucial, and neglecting any of them can have serious consequences", Petev said. He pointed out that the country's maritime sovereignty includes the exclusive economic zone, which is about one-third the size of Bulgaria's land area. "These are regions where the country holds exclusive rights that must be leveraged."

The National Security and Defence Strategy must adjust to the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape and the ongoing dynamic processes, or the country risks falling behind, Petev said and added that the necessary capacity exists, and it is continually being developed and maintained.

Petev noted an anti-mine group was formed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea due to the rising threat from drifting mines. He added that this group reflects both the collective resolve of Euro-Atlantic institutions and the commitment of Black Sea nations—Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkiye—to maintain the maritime zone as a hub for trade and friendly relations.