Security in the Black Sea region discussed at a forum in Sofia

Security in the Black Sea region was discussed at the second edition of the Black Sea Forum, which this year is taking place in Sofia on April 24-26.

It was attended by representatives of the navies of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, France, the UK, the US and NATO commands.

The main theme of the event, organised by the Bulgarian Navy and the NATO Allied Component Command in Naples, was maritime security in a period of ongoing armed conflict.

Bulgaria's Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, said that there is no immediate threat to Bulgaria at the moment, but there are potential threats, such as floating sea mines.

Caretaker Deputy Defence Minister, Teodora Genchovska, pointed out that the development of processes in the Black Sea region is key for the Euro-Atlantic area.

"From now on, being part of the collective defence system, we have to build the necessary capabilities, our colleagues from the Navy are doing everything necessary so that the needs of the Bulgarian Navy are adequate in the situation in the Black Sea. They have the full support of the political leadership to implement the modernisation support," said Teodora Genchovska, caretaker Deputy Minister of Defence.