Bulgarian President Defends Army from Political Bickering

Bulgarian President Parvanov commanding the Army Valor Day parade in Sofia. Photo by BGNES

Deepening modernization and reform and keeping the army out of political clashes were the two main messages of Bulgarian President and Commander-in-Chief, Georgi Parvanov, in his Army Valor Day speech.

Parvanov supervised the military parade in downtown Sofia dedicated to May 6, Day of St. George (“Gergyovden”) and of the Bulgarian Army.

“May 6 is one of the brightest, beautiful and exciting holidays on the Bulgarian calendar. It is the day of sacrifice and dignity,” stated Parvanov on the St. Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia.

The President stressed the need for the Bulgarian state to mobilize all of its resources despite the economic hardships in order to be able to preserve the armed forces, and to be able to fulfill its commitments to collective security in Europe and the world.

He backed the continuation of reforms but emphasized the necessity to provide proper social conditions for the military and their families.

At the same time, the Commander-in-Chief called for deepening the process of modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces which began before Bulgaria joined NATO.

Parvanov welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the Cabinet to add BGN 300 M to the Defense Ministry account as part of an update of the 2010 state budget in order to help out the army settle a deal for the purchase of 18 helicopters from Eurocopter.

The deal for EUR 386 M was signed in 2005, and has created serious issues for the Defense Ministry as it will have to pay 60% of the total price if it defaults on the contract; this situation has moved Defense Minister Angelov to declare he will seek a new settlement with Eurocopter.

“I think that one of the great lessons in the history of the Bulgarian Army is that we have to keep our armed forces away from political bickering,” concluded his Army Valor Day speech President Parvanov.

His call comes several days after he and Defense Minister Anyu Angelov clashed over the annual appointments and promotions of senior military leaders.

A conflict erupted at the end of April between the President and Defense Minister Anyu Angelov, only 2 weeks before the army holiday, May 6, when army promotions are announced.

Angelov accused Parvanov, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian armed forces, of blocking senior army appointments because the Minister has refused to promote one of the President's close associates - military security advisor, Nikolay Nikolov, from rear admiral into vice-admiral.

According to Bulgarian legislation, the Council of Ministers proposes the promotions and appointments to the President, who is supposed to seal them.

In the aftermath, Parvanov rejected the accusations, backed Nikolov’s nomination, saying he is a quality military expert and added that the President and the government should work together in harmony over army appointments. Eventually, however, he backed down by sealing the proposal of the Defense Minister which excluded the promotion of Nikolay Nikolov.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!