Our highest mission is to safeguard the democratic foundations of our societies, to ensure the security of parliamentary institutions and the safety of those we elect to represent us.
This was stated by the head of the National Security Service, Brigadier General Emil Tonev, at a conference in Sofia of the security services of the parliaments of the European Union. The forum was opened by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rosen Zhelyazkov, the NSO press center announced.
The National Security Service, in partnership with the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, is hosting the fourth edition of the conference, in which security officers and experts from the European Parliament and the parliamentary institutions of 22 member states of the European Union participate. Topics of discussion include secure access to parliamentary institutions, resilience to cyber threats, risk assessment, operational cooperation and information sharing with the police and other security services.
The ongoing war in Ukraine, terrorist threats, threats of a hybrid nature and in cyberspace are just some of the factors in the security environment that complement and support the internal divisions in our societies, the NSO chief said. He recalled that socio-political divisions at the national level in the EU countries are becoming more and more tangible, and on June 9 this year Bulgaria will vote in successive elections for the national parliament, together with the vote for members of the European Parliament. “And the most visible manifestations of civil discontent are precisely in front of our parliaments”, recalled Brig. gen. Emil Tonev.
„The National Security Service of Bulgaria is an institution with a 145-year history. One of the lessons that our long experience has taught us is that it is the people, their training, high professionalism, moral qualities and their loyalty, that are our most valuable resource,“, the head of the National Security Service also stated.
„The attack on any parliament – in the physical world or in cyberspace, is an assault on democracy. That's why your work is of extreme importance," addressed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rosen Zhelyazkov, to the participants and guests of the conference.
„In an extremely dynamic security environment, we all realize how important it is to share operational experience and for security services to interact effectively and with trust“, emphasized Rosen Zhelyazkov, who congratulated the State Security Service for hosting the representative professional forum .
„I take this opportunity to address you with deep respect for the professionalism you display on a daily basis and for your dedication in carrying out the tasks assigned to you. Your work often remains out of sight of the public, but it is not out of sight of those whose security you are called to guarantee”, the Speaker of the National Assembly also addressed the forum participants.