October 26 (BTA) - During the second day of the meeting
of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) at the level of
EU chiefs of defence in Brussels on October 25 and 26, Bulgarian
 Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, who attends the event,
said, quoted by the Bulgarian Defence Ministry, that the work on
 the Strategic Compass provides an excellent platform to focus
the efforts for making the EU an active factor in security on a
global scale.

In Eftimov's words, some of the areas where it will be hardest
to find effective solutions are the conditions and use of the
defence instrument in crisis management, increasing the defence
capacity, including the command and management system, pragmatic
 joint financing, and the extended dialogue with NATO on joint
actions based on common interests and common operational
standards.

Eftimov further spoke about the work of the Bulgarian Armed
Forces in support of the ongoing missions of the EU and NATO,
and the increased contribution in the operations in the Western
Balkans which he said are an important factor for the security
in Europe. The Bulgarian Chief of Defence noted the increase of
the country's unit in the EU-led military Operation ALTHEA in
Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eftimov also expressed support for the efforts for the
development of a EU rapid military response system for crises
outside the territory of the EU. He noted the need to improve
the EU battlegroups for their more effective use in more
ambitions tasks in the Strategic Compass.

During the discussion on the cooperation between EU and NATO in
the area of climate change and security, Eftimov praised the
work done so far and stressed that the Bulgarian Defence
Ministry and Defence Staff will continue to participate in these
 processes.

The EUMC ended with a celebration of its 20th anniversary of the
 Council during which defence chiefs met with former chairmen of
 EUMC. RY/ZH

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