Admiral James Foggo in Sofia

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Video by OR-8 Dennis Tappe

Allied Joint Force Command Naples

July 10, 2018 | 11:08

SOFIA, Bulgaria – Naples’ Commander meets with Bulgarian officials and pays a visit to the NATO Force Integration Unit, July 10, 2018.

While visiting the Bulgarian capital, Admiral Foggo met with the Minister of Defence, Mr. Krasimir Karakachanov, and the Chief of Defence, Army General Andrey Botsev. With both the JFC Commander discussed topics related to the upcoming NATO summit in Brussels and its potential outcomes as well as aspects of amplifying the collaboration.

Focusing on the outstanding Bulgarian contribution to recent NATO exercises and activities, and Bulgaria’s announcement to support the Alliance’s engagement to support the regions next to its South and South-Eastern borders, they agreed that “protection and security are the preconditions for economic investments”. That is why, “the Bulgarian people accept the Alliance’s presence in terms of common military exercises and activities in the Black Sea”, Minister Karakachanov said. Admiral Foggo appreciated the Bulgarian support with knowledge, assets and well trained and experienced officers and non-commissioned officers to the NATO’s Strategic Direction South HUB located at Naples, Italy, as well to the large scale exercise Trident Juncture 18 that will take place across Norway in October 2018.

Speaking on the ongoing NATO training activity an possible future missions in Iraq, Foggo appreciated the Bulgarian indication to support that potential mission with personnel and assets, saying: “We would be delighted if Bulgaria could contribute with its experience for instance in providing mobile training teams on maintaining soviet-era military equipment”.

Foggos visit to Sofia concluded with a call to NATO’s Force Integration Unit at Sofia where the Admiral underlined its importance and highlighted its achievements in coordinating large scale troop deployments proven during several NATO training activities in the recent years.