December 14 (BTA) - Receiving the Chief of the General
Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Rajmund Andrzejczak,
in Sofia Tuesday, Bulgaria's Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil
Eftimov, said: "Boosting military cooperation between the Armed
Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Poland is
 important for the successful conduct of NATO and EU missions
and operations in response to the common security and defence
challenges. I am convinced that the participation of
servicepersons from our two countries in [joint] military
exercises is a suitable and efficient way of achieving that
goal."

The two military leaders met during Gen. Andrzejczak's official
visit to Bulgaria on December 14-15, the Bulgarian Defence
Ministry said.

Adm. Eftimov expressed appreciation for Poland's support for the
 maintenance of Bulgarian armament and military equipment and
Warsaw's readiness for future cooperation under various projects
 to develop the capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. He
briefed his guest on opportunities for joint work under EU
projects in the context of the Permanent Structured Cooperation,
 in which Bulgaria is a lead nation.

Eftimov and Andrzejczak discussed the security environment in
the Black Sea region and the development of the two countries'
defence capabilities to ensure an adequate response to current
and future defence challenges.

According to Adm. Eftimov, cooperation in the Black Sea region
and along the eastern flank of the EU and NATO is essential for
tackling not only conventional risks but also new hybrid
threats. He described the stability of the Western Balkans as
crucial for security in the Euro-Atlantic zone.

Gen. Andrzejczak also talked with Bulgarian Defence Minister
Stefan Yanev. They looked at bilateral defence relations, the
prospects for stepping up cooperation in military technology,
and matters on the current security agenda of the region.

On Wednesday, Yanev and Andrzejczak will be in the Black Sea
city of Varna. They will lay wreaths at the tomb of Wladyslaw
III Jagiello and will view an exposition highlighting a major
battle for the liberation of Southeastern Europe in which the
Polish-Hungarian king died in 1444.

The official visit of the Polish guest will end at the Varna
Naval School, where Gen. Andrzejczak will be familiarized with
the curriculum and the opportunities for exchange of students
under study programmes related to maritime security and defence.
 RY/VE

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