site.btaUPDATED State Must Fulfil Its Duty to Its Armed Forces So They Can Meet Society's Very High Expectations, President Says

The expectations of society as a whole towards the Bulgarian Armed Forces are very high, but for them to be met, the State must also fulfil its duty to its Armed Forces, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Iliana Iotova said in her address at the ceremonial blessing of the battle flags and sacred banners on the occasion of the Day of Valour and Bulgarian Armed Forces.

The President took part in the ritual, receiving the guard of honour of the representative guards units and paying tribute at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

"In these difficult, dangerous times, we rely on you," Iotova said in her address to the servicemen.

"Conflicts are all around us, but we know that with boldness, honour and dignity you carry out your service and are a guarantor of the peace, security and prosperity of the Bulgarian people. We know that with your training, your ambition, patriotism and strong sense of duty, you implement difficult decisions and overcome all challenges. We believe this because we, the Bulgarian people, love our army and value it, and through your actions you show that you are a valued and worthy partner to all with whom we stand together in alliances," President Iotova added.

She noted that May 6 carries a special significance - a beloved, eagerly awaited national holiday filled with Bulgarian pride.

"The Bulgarian tradition of the blessing of the battle flags is a long one, beginning as far back as 11 centuries ago during the Golden Age under Tsar Simeon, continuing through the ages, and today, as we mark another major anniversary - 150 years since the April Uprising, let us remember the Bulgarian clergy who consecrated the first free Bulgarian flag with the proudly raised golden lion," Iotova said.

According to her, the glorious pages of Bulgarian history are read through the bright images and deeds of thousands of Bulgarian military leaders, officers and soldiers. "On the battlefields, they showed what it means to mobilise one’s spirit to levels the enemy could not imagine, what it means to win battles that everyone believed were lost, and what it means to give everything beyond the limits of human ability, because before you stands the homeland and its defence," the President said.