site.btaPresident Iotova Considers Security Council Meeting over EMCO Blasts

President Iliana Iotova is considering convening the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) following further explosions at EMCO depots, she told journalists on Saturday.

Iotova spoke before taking part in the awards ceremony for the Hedgehogs' Spines children's creative writing competition, organized for the 20th year by the Mormarevi Brothers Foundation.

Asked whether she might convene the council following further explosions at EMCO depots, Iotova said she would consider the matter, "as these incidents have become much more frequent". "What is more, you can see that the wars in both the Middle East and Ukraine are escalating, and our security services need to give their assessment," Iotova added.

The CCNS is an advisory body on national security matters whose status is defined by law, the President's administration says on its website. Chaired by Bulgaria's President, the council discusses issues and draws up opinions and proposals on national security policy, maintaining civil peace and public order, protecting Bulgarian citizens' rights and interests, and action in the event of a threat to national security. Its purpose is to secure political consensus and joint action on the country's security and defence priorities.