A formal ceremony was held in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, for the deployment of a contingent from the Third Brigade Command, which will participate in NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) Reserve Operational Force.
Priests performed solemn prayers for the health and successful return of the mission, while speeches were made by the Mayor of Blagoevgrad, Metodi Baykushev, and the Governor of the Blagoevgrad region, Georgi Dinev.
“The Bulgarian military contributes to the security and stability of the Western Balkans,” said Admiral Emil Eftimov, the Chief of Defense, during the ceremony, according to the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).
He noted that 120 personnel will be sent from the Third Brigade Command in Blagoevgrad to the mission area for at least three months.
“I am pleased with the preparation and readiness. The order was given on Friday, and by Wednesday, we are sending them, which means the certificates they passed earlier and the readiness they maintain were at the required level, and we can respond within the specified time frame,” emphasized Eftimov.
He thanked the Deputy Commander of the Ground Forces and the Commander of the Third Brigade Command in Blagoevgrad.
“It is my first time participating in such a mission. I have no concerns; I feel well-prepared and motivated,” said Anelia Petrova from the Third Brigade Command.
The ceremony concluded with a march of the military personnel.
