MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

Minister of Defence Dragomir Zakov was born on 24 July 1975.  

Work experience  

Since March 2019 Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to NATO, Brussels  

01/02/2017 – 24/03/2019 Director, Security Policy Directorate, Deputy Political Director, MFA  

01/08/2016 – 31/01/2017 Director, NATO and Regional Security Directorate, MFA  

18/08/2014 – 31/07/2016 Head, Department for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Directorate for UN and Global Affairs, MFA  

01/01/2013 – 31/12/2013 Co-Chair of the Committee on General Status and Operation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention  

10/11/2011 – 17/08/2014 First Secretary, Mission of Bulgaria to the UN Office and the other international organizations in Geneva  

16/05/2008 – 09/01/2011 Second Secretary, NATO and International Security Directorate, OSCE and Regional Security Department, MFA  

16/02/2004 – 15/05/2008 Third Secretary, Permanent Delegation of Bulgaria to NATO, Brussels  

29/03/2002 – 15/02/2008 Attaché, NATO and International Security Directorate, MFA  

12/03/2001 – 28/03/2002 Product Manager, Private Sector  

Education and training  

September 2015 – June 2016 11th CSDP High Level Course “Jean Monnet” European Security and Defence College  

March 2009 –  

June 2009 Programme in Advanced Security Studies George C. Marshall Centre, Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany  

October 1994 –  

December 1999 International Economic Relations, Master’s degree in International Business University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria  

September 1989 –  

June 1994 French Language Lyceum, Sofia, Bulgaria  

Personal skills and  

competences  

Language(s) English – C1 French – C1 Russian – C1  

Decorations Medal of honour of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, silver Certificate awarded by the US Army in recognition for the support to Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo  

Marital status Married, two children  

Mr Zakov was appointed Minister of Defence on 1 March 2022. 

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