By decision of the Bulgarian Minister of Defence Vesselin Bliznakov the Director of the Stability Pact Working Table III Jiri Kalasnikov was awarded today with the distinction "For military merit" for his contribution to the development of regional co-operation, security and the defence in South Eastern Europe. 

The distinction was handed by Yordan Bozhilov, Director of the International Co-operation Direction of the Ministry of Defence of Bulgaria, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Bulgaria Martin Klepetko.

Mr. Kalasnikov said this award was for the entire Stability Pact team.

For further information, please contact Stability Pact's Spokesperson
Mr Georgi Gotev at the SP Secretariat in Brussels
(Tel: +32 2 401 87 25 or press@stabilitypact.org).

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PR2008/003