ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

President Radev calls for a debate on the inrtoduction of basic military training for young people

President Rumen Radev (in the middle) at the Fourth National Convention of the Reserve Army in Stara Zagora, 14 June 2024.
Photo: president.bg

Speaking in Stara Zagora at the Fourth National Convention of the Reserve Army, President Rumen Radev stressed the need for basic military training for the younger generation. A debate needs to be held on whether young people in Bulgaria should receive at least basic military training, which would help bridge the growing gap between society and the army, the president said. 

Radev cited the example of NATO allies that are reintroducing conscription. In his speech to the reservists, the head of state stressed that today's geopolitical challenges and the war in Ukraine require a public debate on the army's personnel needs, which go far beyond the need for weapons and technology. The President added that decisions on national security are taken by people without a military background, which is why cooperation with the Mobilisation Reserve is so important in Bulgaria.

In the past, he said, every household was somehow connected to the army, but today, almost 20 years after conscription was abolished, this is no longer the case. "Soon, there will be very few MPs left in the National Assembly who have had any involvement with the army, and it is there that important decisions for our national security are made," the head of state added. Noting the challenges posed by military conflicts in neighbouring regions, Radev said that regardless of technological advancements in weapons production, the training and motivation of personnel remained of paramount importance.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria News    conscription national convention of the reserve army rumen radev stara zagora

More from category

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov

Russian-linked web activity in Bulgaria up 12-fold, defence minister warns of propaganda surge

The activity of Russian propaganda websites and pages in Bulgaria has increased twelvefold, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told the Atlantic Club conference NATO After the Hague Summit '25: The Bulgarian Dimension 2025–2035, which took place today..

published on 7/31/25 2:43 PM
Atanas Zapryanov (L) and Solomon Passy (R)

Solomon Passy: NATO should consider establishing a joint unit to tackle disasters and accidents

''There is no greater threat to Bulgaria than Russian propaganda'', said Dr. Solomon Passy, President of the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria. Solomon Passy opened the conference “NATO After The Hague '25: The Bulgarian Dimension 2025–2035'', taking place..

published on 7/31/25 1:23 PM
Arda River

Farmers in Northern Greece seek clarity about the water coming from Bulgaria

Greek farmers in the Evros region are waiting for a long-term solution with Bulgaria on the water of the Arda River. There is still no agreement with Bulgaria on the supply of water to the Evros region, the farmers' union in..

published on 7/31/25 11:34 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 17 | Max: 29
Clear
Min: 20 | Max: 32
Clear
Min: 20 | Max: 32
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 15 | Max: 30
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 19 | Max: 29
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 17 | Max: 34
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 15 | Max: 32
Partly Cloudy
Min: 15 | Max: 33
Partly Cloudy
Min: 18 | Max: 33
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 16 | Max: 29
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 17 | Max: 32
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 18 | Max: 30
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 16 | Max: 32
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 16 | Max: 27
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 18 | Max: 34
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 16 | Max: 33
Partly Cloudy
Min: 17 | Max: 32
Partly Cloudy
Min: 18 | Max: 35
Partly Cloudy
Min: 20 | Max: 34
Partly Cloudy
Min: 18 | Max: 34
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 12 | Max: 26
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 17 | Max: 28
Partly Cloudy
Min: 16 | Max: 35
Partly Cloudy
Min: 15 | Max: 33
Partly Cloudy
Min: 17 | Max: 34
Partly Cloudy
Min: 15 | Max: 34
Partly Cloudy
Min: 16 | Max: 35
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

122 years since the outbreak of the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie uprising

The 122 nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie uprising will be marked on 2 August in the locality Predela with a flower and..

published on 8/2/25 7:05 AM

The Union of Thracian Societies commemorates the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising

In the village of Slaveyno near Smolyan, the Union of Thracian Societies in Bulgaria is organizing a National Gathering-Pilgrimage on August 2 and 3. The..

published on 8/2/25 5:35 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"