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Bulgarian President Visits Allied Maritime Command

NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom - Today, the commander of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, welcomed Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to Allied Maritime Command Headquarters for a goodwill visit and discussion of NATO maritime operations.  

During the visit, President Radev met with MARCOM leadership, received briefings on the roles and functions of the command and toured the Maritime Operations Centre, MARCOM’s nerve centre for NATO afloat activities including the four Standing Maritime Groups and all other ships, submarines, and aircraft supporting NATO’s maritime operations. 

"President Radev’s visit to MARCOM is very welcome and opportune,” said Vice Admiral Johnstone.  "As MARCOM further develops its maritime roles with respect to NATO Command Structure Adaptation, close coordination with our Allies aids the development of a more mature and effective outcome for the Alliance and the nations that are part of the Alliance.” 

The Bulgarian Navy regularly contributes to NATO activities and operations. Most recently with BGS Drazki in Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) and BGS Tsibar in Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2). Bulgaria also sent a ship to support NATO’s Maritime Security Operation, Operation Sea Guardian, in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the Bulgarian Navy opens their annual exercise BREEZE to the Standing Maritime Groups, providing a rich training opportunity in Black Sea for the Standing Naval Forces and additional Allied naval forces. Bulgaria also provides staff officers to MARCOM Headquarter including tailored Forward Presence (tFP) initiative, as well as to afloat staffs of Standing Maritime Groups.