Vice Admiral George Yakoumakis, Commander of the Naval Forces of Greece, visited our country at the invitation of Rear Admiral Mitko Petev, Commander of the Naval Forces of Bulgaria.
They both accepted the invitation of Sozopol Foundation to visit Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historical Complex by taking time out of their busy work schedule. The guests were accompanied by Commodore Malen Chubenkov, Head of Burgas Garrison, other representatives of the Naval Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria and representatives of the Naval Forces of the Republic of Greece. The guests were welcomed at the entrance of the Complex with homemade bread, salt and honey, following the old Bulgarian custom.
Vice Admiral George Yakoumakis and Rear Admiral Mitko Petev at their arrival atSouthern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historical Complex
Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Chairman of Sozopol Foundation, acquainted the guests with the complex and the history of Apollonia Pontica – Sozopol.
Commodore Malen Chubenkov, Vice Admiral George Yakoumakis,Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Rear Admiral Mitko Petev and officials of the two government institutions
Mr. Arnautski answered comprehensively to a number of questions, asked by the guests in an informal conversation. The Chairman of Sozopol Foundation and the representatives of the Naval Forces from the two countries welcomed the constructive partnership built over the years and discussed possibilities for future cooperation in the implementation of the activities of the Naval Forces and the international NGO. They strongly emphasized on the need for all involved on both sides of the border to support the achievement of sustainable development and improvement of the the socio-economic situation in the cross-border region.
A special lunch was organized for the participants after the guests got acquainted in detail with the constructed Architectural Complex, developed through a number of projects of Sozopol Foundation and funded by both national and international programs. During the lunch the conversation continued in a constructive spirit, as hosts and guests expressed their readiness to provide cooperation in future initiatives on both sides.
Rear Admiral Mitko Petev, Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Vice Admiral George Yakoumakisand Commodore Malen Chubenkov
After lunch, the guests had the opportunity to walk through the Old Town of Sozopol, enjoying the Sozopol renaissance houses, declared architectural monuments – real cultural values, authentic churches and chapels, cobblestone streets and the pier with fishing boats. Rear Admiral Mitko Petev, Vice Admiral George Yakoumakis and Commodore Malen Chubenkov enjoyed the unique and charming atmosphere, brought by the oldest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The representatives of the Naval Forces were extremely impressed by what they saw, underlining the important role of the activities of the international NGO Sozopol Foundation for the conversion of Ancient Sozopol and Archaeological Reserve “Ancient city of Apollonia”, in the international tourist destination and one of the most visited seaside resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.