Operational Analysis Support to Energy Security in South East Europe: A Bulgarian Academic Community Approach

Abstract

This paper presents the authors’ understanding of the problem of energy security in South East Europe (SEE) and the Wider Black Sea Area (WBSA) as a result of the region’s geo-strategy; the development of the relevant capabilities in Bulgarian academic community linked with administration, industry, and non12 governmental organizations in the area of analytical support to energy security, as well as the concept of a Center of Excellence for Military Support to Civilian Authorities as an instrument for addressing: energy security, cyber defense, and other new challenges to security through the concept of an integrated security sector; and finally – the integration of national capabilities in the international network for operational analysis and foresight/strategic planning.

Dr. Zlatogor Minchev is the Director of JTSAC, C4I Department at the Institute of Parallel Processing, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and currently is an Executive Head of C4I Department.

Dr. Velizar Shalamanov moved in July 2009 to NATO C3 Agency as Director Sponsor Account “NATO and Nations” after being head of C4I Department at the Institute of Parallel Processing, BAS for 5 years and in the period 1998–2001 – Deputy Minister of Defense – Bulgaria on efense Policy, Planning and Integration.