The Rakovski Defense and Staff College hosted a roundtable, “Stability Operations – Lessons Learned,” for Marshall Center alumni and other military and civilian officials April 18 in Sofia.

Sixty officials from the Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs and the Interior, including 40 alumni, gathered to hear the Bulgarian Ambassador to Iraq Valeri Ratchev (EP 1994-1, SES 2005-3) and Marshall Center professor Col. James Howcroft discuss the political and operational aspects of stability operations.

Bulgarian Alumni Association President and Deputy Commandant of Rakovski, Brig. Gen. Nikolay Valkov (EP1995-1, SES 2006-3), opened the event, along with the Commandant of Rakovski, MG Evgeni Manev. The Deputy Minister of Defense, Simeon Nikolov (SES 2006-6), and the Director of the NATO and International Security Directorate, Dr. Petio Petev (SES 2007-3), also made introductory remarks.

Click to enlarge Brig. Gen. Nikolay Valkov opens the roundtable at Rakovski. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge MG Evgeni Manev welcomes the participants. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Deputy Minister of Defense Simeon Nikolov gives an opening address, stressing Bulgaria’s ability to take part in stability operations. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev
Click to enlarge Dr. Petio Petev, the Director of the NATO and International Security Directorate, discusses NATO operations in Afghanistan. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Amb. Valeri Ratchev begins his presentation with a five-part thesis on stability operations from a political perspective. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Col. James Howcroft outlines ten lessons to be learned from stability operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev
Click to enlarge Moving outdoors for a group photo are classmates at the Marshall Center in 2007 (left to right): Ms. Olga Rangelova (LPASS 2007-4), COL Rumen Yachev (EPASS 2007-4), Ms. Daniela Dimitrova (EPASS 2007-4) and CPT Georgi Georgiev (PTSS 2007-5). Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Enjoying the sun are recent graduates from 2008-1 and 2008-2 (left to right): Ms. Desislava Teneva (LPASS), Ms. Ionna Todorova Angelova (LPASS), MAJ Krasimir Slavov (PTSS) and Ms. Siyana Lyoutzkanova (LPASS). Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Waiting for the group photo are 2005-1 colleagues (left to right): COL Valeri Mitkov (EPASS), MAJ Krasimir Yanchev (LPASS) and COL (ret.) Vladimir Takov (EPASS). Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev
Click to enlarge During the break alumni representative, Ms. Barbara Wither (center) chats with Ms. Mariana Peeva (EPASS 2008-1) and COL Anri Georgiev (EPASS 2005-6). Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge COL Georgi Bahchevanov (EP 2001-4), Deputy Commandant for Education and Research at Rakovski, opens the floor to questions after the break. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Brig. Gen. Valkov (left) presents Col. Howcroft with a memento of Rakovski at the end of the roundtable.
Click to enlarge Stopping for a photo at the finish are (left to right): Mr. Petio Petev, Col. James Howcroft, Ms. Barbara Wither, Ms. Veneta Momtcheva (EPASS 2007-4) who assisted with the event and Amb. Valeri Ratchev. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev	Click to enlarge Mr. Harizan Harizanov (EPASS 2006-4), left, carries on the discussions with Col. Howcroft.	Click to enlarge Ms. Barbara Wither checks the information in the graduate book with Capt. Sasho Aleksandrov (LC 2003-7). Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev
Click to enlarge Meeting for the first time since they were at the Marshall Center for LC 2002-6 are Ms. Irina Yordaova-Koleva and LTC Mitko Saraliev, Macedonia. LTC Saraliev is presently at Rakovski.	Click to enlarge Pausing for a photo during the refreshments are EPASS 2005-4 classmates: Dr. Velichka Ivanova Milina (left) and LTC Ivanka Nestorova.	Click to enlarge All the graduates gather outdoors for a group photo at the column of the alumni of Rakovski Defense and Staff College. Photo by Col. Georgi Ganev