DIPLOMACY ДИПЛОМАЦИЯ

STRATEGIC EQUILIBRIUM IN THE BLACK SEA REGION IN THE CONTEXT...
and enhancing the interoperability between NATO and the regional NATO partner countries
by means of conducting more exercises, by a more active exchange within the framework of
the NATO Allied and partner education and training centers, as well as by using the whole
set of instruments of the North Atlantic Alliance’s partnership policy.
The future NATO enhanced role in the Black Sea and the implementation of the measures
adopted by the NATO Member States require consensus within the framework of this
organization. We commend NATO for having remained strong and united in the face of the
new security challenges, notwithstanding the individual geographical or geopolitical situation
of the individual NATO states, the individual historical experience of these states, and the
current relations with Russia, as well as with the Middle East and the North African countries.
Dragomir Zakov was appointed at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March, 2002, with the NATO
and International Security Directorate, as an export control and regional security expert. To date, he has worked
for over 14 years in the areas of multilateral diplomacy, international and regional security, humanitarian affairs, the
United Nations Organization, NATO, the EU and the OSCE, as well as in some other international organizations. Mr.
Zakov has also had several mandates abroad – at the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Bulgaria to NATO
in Brussels (2004-2008), at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations, as well as at
some other organizations in Geneva (2011-2014). In the period 2006-2010, he was deputy national representative
to NATO in the area of conventional weapons control issues. He has also been coordinator of the East-European
Regional Group in Geneva (2012-2014), as well co-Chair of the Committee on the General Status of the Mine Ban
Convention (2013). Following his return from Geneva in 2014, he has been Director of the Weapons Control and
Non-Proliferation Department within the UN and Development Cooperation Directorate, as well as “cooperate”
director in the area of disarmament issues in the EU context. Since August 1, 2016, Mr. Zakov has been Director of
the NATO and Regional Security Directorate.
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ДИПЛОМАЦИЯ 18/2016