BULGARIA’S NEW CHIEF OF DEFENCE TOOK OFFICE

Bulgaria’s new Chief of Defence Lieutenant-General Andrei Botsev officially took office on 8th of March. At the ceremony in the President’s Office, Bulgaria’s President Roumen Radev promoted Botsev from Major-General to Lieutenant - General and later at the Ministry of Defence Botsev took over the leadership of the army from his predecessor, the acting Chief, Vice-Admiral Emil Eftimov.

President Radev said that in the present disturbing geopolitical situation, the role of the armed forces in guaranteeing sovereignty, territorial integrity and the country’s independence would increase. The new risks and threats require development of effective defense capabilities, he added.

These times require development of real skills and to take decisive steps to enhance our own defence capacity and at the same time to increase the interoperability with the NATO allies, the President said.

Radev expressed confidence that the new Chief of Defence would take the necessary measures for the modernization of Bulgaria's armed forces.

The entire career path of General-Lieutenant Botsev has been in the Army - from platoon leader to commander of the Land Forces. Taking the post, he assured that he would work to modernize and increase combat training of the Armed Forces.