Uniting with the Bulgarian army

648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Story by Master Sgt. Janet Hill

Date: 02.29.2012
Posted: 03.04.2012 09:46
News ID: 84698
Uniting with the Bulgarian army

KABUL, Afghanistan – After being in office a little over 30 days, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev and his delegation visited his deployed soldiers, Feb. 29, 2012, here on Camp Phoenix.

Upon arrival to Camp Phoenix, the Bulgarian honor guard was in place to welcome and salute Plevneliev at Patriot Square.

Plevneliev met with president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai during a visit to Kabul early Wednesday, before making his way to Camp Phoenix later that day, where he met with the Bulgarian soldiers and leaders along with Col. Andy Hall, commander of 648th Task Force Hydra the Kabul Base Cluster Command.

Plevneliev spoke about solidarity and thanked the American military for what they are doing for their people and for helping the Bulgarian army to integrate within the most effective family of military.

“Leaders, as president of Bulgaria, I am talking to them, that it is very important to come here to show solidarity to our plans, to stay to the plans and be effective,” said Plevneliev. “I came here also because I hope that the other colleagues will come the same way.”

“Thank you for what you’re doing for our people thank you for helping the Bulgarian army integrate within the most effective family of military,” he said.

“Strong coalition partnerships are very important, and it means a lot when the president of a country makes it a priority to experience what it’s like on the ground for his soldiers,” said Hall.

“I am honored that I had the opportunity to sit down with President Plevneliev.”

The visit came days before a series of Bulgarian Celebrations, the March 1 Baba Marta (Grandmother March) celebration of welcoming spring and the March 3 Liberation Day.