Commander of NATO's Allied Maritime Command Visits Bulgaria

Sofia, February 2 (BTA) - Bulgaria's interim Chief of Defence, Vice Admiral Emil Eftimov, met with the Commander of NATO's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, who is also the bloc's principal maritime adviser, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry reported on February 1, covering Johnstone's visit to Bulgaria.

Speaking after the meeting, Eftimov said that he and Johnstone share the view that MARCOM's success and efficiency are measured by the security and the satisfaction of the member countries. "As an ally, Bulgaria participates in the making of NATO's naval policies, directives and guidelines which serve our national interests," he said.

According to Eftimov, Johnstone's visit was an excellent opportunity to discuss security in our region and in outlying areas, and to look at NATO's role in safeguarding the national interests and the sovereignty of its member countries.

The visit is a clear example of NATO solidarity in addressing challenges, the Defence Ministry said. The two sides underscored their shared determination to plan immediate measures and set long-term guidelines, and to strengthen NATO's role as a guarantor of security and a source of stability in the Black Sea region.

From a regional perspective, Eftimov and Johnstone concurred that it is important for Bulgaria to interact with the other NATO member and partner countries. They stressed the importance of joint activities to maintain a predictable security environment. In this context, they considered ways to expand interaction between the Bulgarian Navy and the standing NATO maritime groups and to step up joint training in order to improve interoperability. The meeting also discussed the parameters of the bloc's tailored forward presence in the Black Sea region.

Johnstone said NATO has always been a defensive alliance supporting its members. The members have vowed to defend one another and protect their sovereignty, Johnstone said. He added that the Bulgarian Navy is of fundamental importance.

The guest acknowledged that Bulgaria lends exceptional assistance and support to the standing NATO maritime groups by providing ships, personnel and cooperation in all areas of activity. He thanked the country for contributing to Operation Sea Guardian, which he said is an increasingly important effort.