Outdoor Concert in Sofia Marks 20th Anniversary of Bulgaria's NATO Entry

Lyubomir Gigov

The NATO Jazz Orchestra performing at a 20 Years Bulgaria in NATO Concert, Sofia, March 29, 2024 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

29.03.2024 20:12

(BTA)

An outdoor concert in Sofia's central Knyaz Alexander I Square on Friday evening marked the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

"On this day in 2004, Bulgaria became a full member of a family of democratic, free and secure states," outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said before the beginning of the concert. "This is where our people with its eventful and rich history most naturally belongs," he added.

In his words, the Bulgarian State is duty bound to build its own defence and security capabilities. "Without cooperation with our NATO partners, we can hardly think about peace, national resilience and prosperity," the PM pointed out, describing the Alliance as "a family of shared values."

"Freedom and peace are supreme values of democracy. This is precisely what we celebrate today: our right for free and peaceful Bulgaria to choose the unions it will join. Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova and each other European democracy enjoy the same right," Denkov said.

"Being a NATO member is responsibility. Responsibility for the collective security of the Euro-Atlantic region. Being a NATO member is a sovereign choice and an inspiration," outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel said for her part.

"Together with our Allies, we are united in our support for Ukraine's freedom," said outgoing Defence Minister Todor Tagarev. "Never before has Bulgaria occupied a worthier place on the Allied map," he added.

The 20 Years Bulgaria in NATO Concert was co-organized by the ministries of defence and foreign affairs. Taking part were the Ceremonial Brass Band of the National Guards Unit and members of the Ceremonial Ensemble of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, and the NATO Jazz Orchestra (NJO). The NJO is the large jazz ensemble of the International Band of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). This is their first visit to Bulgaria.

At the beginning of the concert, the Bulgarian and the NATO musicians performed Bulgaria's national anthem and the NATO Hymn as massed bands while the two flags were being raised.

/LG/