site.btaUPDATED National Service for Protection Celebrates 146th Anniversary

An official celebration marking the 146th anniversary of the founding of the National Service for Protection (NSP) was held here on Friday. Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that Bulgaria's national security can tolerate no compromise, the Government Information Service reported.

Addressing members of the NSP, Zhelyazkov said: "Perform your duties diligently, because trust and coordination are important prerequisites for success and for building interinstitutional trust." He expressed his gratitude for the dignified service provided by the institution and added that the stability of the service is an emanation of the way one views stability in the state and stability in governance.

In his address, the NSP Chief Major General Emil Tonev said that the NSP would resolutely oppose any attempt to undermine trust in institutions. He added: "The National Security Service is one of the faces of Bulgarian statehood. The relentless attacks against state institutions and attempts to undermine public trust in them also undermine the trust and authority of the NSP."

Tonev said that the NSP will strengthen cooperation and ties with other services in the security and public order sector. He reported that employees' salaries have been increased, the material base is being upgraded, and new employees are joining the service.

Other official guests at the event included Vice President Iliana Iotova, President Peter Stoyanov (in office between 1997 and 2002), Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria Yordanka Chobanova, leaders and representatives of state bodies and structures from the national security system, representative of the ministries of interior, defence, and justice, veterans.

The NSP is the successor to the Sofia First Cavalry Squadron. It was established in 1879 by decree of Prince Alexander I of Battenberg as the first specialized security unit. The NSP today is a specialized militarized state service under the President of Bulgaria. Its activities are part of the national security protection activities aimed at ensuring the safety of the persons, objects, and events specified in the NSP Act.