site.btaState Intelligence Agency Reports High Number of Vacant Positions, Persistent Underfunding

Despite active and targeted efforts to recruit staff, the percentage of vacant positions at the State Intelligence Agency (SIA) remains high, the Agency reported in its 2024 report, 
published on the official website of the Council of Ministers. 

This issue was also highlighted in the Agency's annual report for 2023. According to the SIA analysis, the main reasons for the difficulties in the recruitment process are related to: high competition on the labor market; 
psychological unsuitability; low intelligence quotients; and inadequate levels of general knowledge, often not matching the educational qualifications that applicants possess, among other factors. 

Another issue highlighted by the Agency is its ongoing underfunding. "In order to improve the implementation of the legally mandated tasks of the Agency as a crucial element of the national security system, 
it is necessary to overcome its persistent underfunding," the report states.

As in its previous report, SIA also emphasized the need to optimize operational presence in countries where the Agency currently has no or limited intelligence presence. 
The report notes that specific actions have been taken to expand opportunities to protect Bulgaria's interests and positions on foreign policy issues, and that in 2024, work continued to expand SIA's network of sources. 

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continues to generate significant risks for the Black Sea region, particularly related to maritime security and ecology. 

Regardless of the likely scenarios for the conflict's development in 2025, Moscow will remain focused on the rapid recovery and enhancement of its military potential, according to the intelligence service’s report.

The report also notes that Russia’s foreign policy toward the EU, NATO, and their allies has been focused on seeking ways to weaken the influence and geopolitical weight of the two organizations and to undermine their unity. 
SIA points out that a wide range of hybrid tactics employed by Russia's special services has been used for this purpose. 

The SIA report is expected to be reviewed by the National Assembly.