The annual EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Orientation Course has begun in Sofia under the theme “Cooperation in the Black Sea Region within the Current European Security Architecture”. The course is organised by the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), with the support of the “G. S. Rakovski” National Defence College.

The opening session was attended by Ms. Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute; Colonel Assoc. Prof. Petar Marinov, Deputy Commandant for Academic and Research Affairs of the National Defence College; and Ms. Ralitsa Kovacheva, State Expert at the Defence Policy and Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Over the five-day programme, participants will explore developments in the current geopolitical environment, challenges to European security and strategic partnership within NATO, with a particular focus on security and defence in the Black Sea region.

The course brings together leading Bulgarian and international experts. A keynote presentation will be delivered by Mr. Aner Zukovic, Senior Adviser at the Regional Cooperation Council for South-East Europe. The programme will also include a practical exercise specially designed for participants, involving scenario-based simulations on countering hybrid threats in the Black Sea region.

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute has a long-standing and active partnership with the ESDC. In view of the importance of these issues, the two institutions have organised a number of joint courses and seminars over the years, bringing together Bulgarian and international participants.

The current course brings together 46 participants from Bulgaria and 18 other countries, including EU Member States, countries of the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea region, as well as representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS).