Bulgaria's NATO representatives see as their task to protect both national and alliance interests, head of the strategic planning department of the national army headquarters Petar Bozhilov said.
 
NATO missions abroad were among the priorities of Bulgaria's army, Bozhilov said.

More than 80 per cent of all Bulgarian operations in other countries were related to NATO projects, Bozhilov told Focus news agency.

Bulgaria still has more representatives in NATO than in European structures dealing with the common foreign security policy of the union, he said.

Bozhilov said that Bulgaria was getting ready to nominate its representatives to the EU military staff.

In the short-term, Bulgaria plans to include its representatives in defence headquarters in Germany, France, Italy, Greece and the UK, he said.

The highest priority for Bulgaria was to have its efficient representation in the EU military staff, Bozhilov said.