Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
THE EU STRATEGY FOR THE BLACK SEA AND BULGARIA - ROMANIA COOPERATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE
On 19 September, the Sofia Security Forum (SSF) - Bulgaria, together with the New Strategy Center (NSC) - Romania, organized in Sofia a workshop dedicated to “The EU Strategy for the Black Sea 2025 and the Bulgaria-Romania cooperation for protection of the offshore infrastructure.” The event gathered Bulgarian and Romanian officials from the government and a number of ministries, security experts, and representatives of energy companies, engaged in offshore exploration and infrastructure projects. The debate highlighted that the Black Sea has become a frontline for both conventional and hybrid challenges. Participants drew attention to the growing risks to critical infrastructure of diverse nature — from drifting mines and unmanned systems, to cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and the disruption of navigation routes under the guise of military drills. These threats were discussed as not only a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine, but a long-term factor shaping the security in the region. The speakers noted that both the Han Asparuh block in Bulgaria and the Neptun Deep block in Romania illustrate the stakes: offshore resources can provide energy independence for the two countries, but also can create new vulnerabilities that require joint risk assessments, interoperable monitoring systems, and the ability to respond quickly to crises at sea. The need to integrate EU initiatives — including the forthcoming Maritime Security Hub — with national capabilities was highlighted as a crucial step for protecting cables, platforms, and energy corridors. From the Bulgarian perspective, the discussions emphasized that securing the Black Sea is not only a matter of regional solidarity, but a core national interest. Once exploration at the Han Asparuh block advances, Bulgaria has the potential to fully meet its domestic gas needs and to contribute to regional supply. To achieve this securely, participants pointed that its of crucial importance to improve coordination between civilian and military authorities, to enhance the port and coastal infrastructure, investing in countermeasures and technologies for surveillance. The Sofia Security Forum will continue working on the analyses of the risks and threats in the Black Sea with the aim of searching for workable solutions at national and regional level as well as within NATO and EU. We will continue organizing events, offering a platform where decision-makers and experts can develop practical solutions for resilience. Strengthening the Bulgarian-Romanian cooperation in the Black Sea is key not only for the protection of offshore energy infrastructure, but also for ensuring that the region contributes to the EU’s long-term energy security and strategic autonomy, in line with the EU Black Sea Strategy 2025 and will be in the focus of the activities of the Sofia Security Forum.
Event
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
European Union
The need for a new National Security Strategy, the Russian threat and the role of the services
A national security strategy is necessary because it assesses the security environment and defines the country's key interests and policies.
Yordan Bozhilov
Brief
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Security and Defense
YOUTH CONFERENCE: THE NATO’s ROLE IN ADDRESSING SECURITY CHALLENGES IN AN UNPREDICTABLE ENVIRONMENT
Students from Bulgaria and North Macedonia met in Sofia on 3-5 December 2023 to discuss what risks the two countries are facing and what is NATO's role in dealing with them. During the conference, the young people met and held talks with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Nikolay Denkov, the Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev, the Chairman of the Defense Committee in the National Assembly Hristo Gadjev, the ambassadors of North Macedonia and Germany, security experts.
Event
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Balkans and Black Sea
Leadership and Youth
DEFINING THE BLACK SEA SECURITY
Speech of Mr. Yordan Bozhilov, Director of the Sofia Security Forum at the meeting of the OSCE Forum for security cooperation, held on May3, 2023 in Vienna, Austria
Yordan Bozhilov
Brief
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
HOW DOES BULGARIA SEE THE EUROPEAN DEFENSE COOPERATION?
Against the backdrop of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the role of European countries in guaranteeing their security is under discussion again. How Bulgaria sees the future European defense cooperation through this prism?
Yordan Bozhilov
Brief
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Security and Defense
European Union
HOW BULGARIA WALKED STRAIGHT INTO A TRAP WITH THE RUSSIAN HYBRID ATTACK ABOUT THE TRUCK ON THE CRIMEAN BRIDGE
The Russian disinformation campaign about the "Bulgarian role" in the blast of the Crimean bridge
Yordan Bozhilov
Brief
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Security and Defense