PTA
Wednesday August 8, 2018
The Bulgarian Navy frigate Druzki taking part in Nato’s Operation Sea Guardian 2017. SUPPLIED
The Bulgarian Navy will commit the frigate Drazki to NATO's Operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean Sea in November.
Before that, the Bulgarian minehunter Tsibar will join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2.
The news was unveiled by the Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Mitko Petev.
Petev told the press that the Commander of the US Sixth Fleet, Vice Admiral Lisa Franchetti, will visit the Bulgarian seaside city of Varna on August 13 in connection with a joint exercise with the Bulgarian Navy which will involve new boats donated by the US.
Petev also spoke about the honouring of his country's commitments to the EU and NATO through permanent participation of Bulgarian naval officers in the two EU counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the fight against illegal migration in the Mediterranean Sea.
Petev gave high marks for the participation of the Bulgarian Navy in NATO exercises this year.
The Commander was in the Danubian city of Rousse for observances of the 139th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian Navy.
He said that over the last few years there have usually been four applicants for each enrollment position in the Naval Academy in Varna, which shows that interest in naval education has increased. A new study course for military physicians is also becoming popular, with 45 applicants contesting 20 enrollment positions this year.