Aug 13 2020

Bulgarian Chief of Defence visits SHAPE

SHAPE, Belgium – Bulgarian Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov visited Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on August 13, 2020 where he met with SHAPE leadership including Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Tod D. Wolters and his staff.

During the routine visit, Admiral Eftimov and SACEUR General Wolters discussed Bulgaria’s involvement in Allied military missions and operations as well as Bulgaria’s continued commitment to the NATO.

Admiral Emil Eftimov, the Bulgarian Chief of Defence, left, and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Tod D. Wolters, salute during an honour guard held at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on August 13, 2020.

Admiral Eftimov entered the Bulgarian Navy in 1984 as a Second Lieutenant and has served across multiple Joint and national commands throughout his career including previous NATO assignments as both the Deputy Director then Director of Cooperation and Regional Security Division, International Military Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. He has held his current position since April of 2020.

In 2020 Bulgaria celebrated their 16th anniversary as a NATO member. After joining NATO’s Partnership for Peace in 1994, Bulgaria began taking the necessary steps to full membership in 1997 and in March of 2004 became a full-fledged Allied nation. They have supported NATO missions and operations by deploying troops to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo and continue to be critical in supporting security in the Black Sea while backing peace and stability in the Balkans.