Bulgaria's actions and policies on military reform between 1990 and March 1997 left the country's institutions and military largely unprepared for integration with the Alliance. Bulgarian government and military officials have emerged from the state's self-imposed isolation lacking an understanding of how far behind they are, as well as what they need to do, to seek integration. Bulgaria's armed forces are only now starting to reform and downsize. The resultant social and economic pain has yet to be felt, and the state is likely to suffer significant political consequences. Some social and political figures may elect to portray the United States and NATO as the cause of Bulgaria's social, economic, and political pain. Bulgaria's citizens, politicians and military need NATO to better define its standards for interoperability.

This thesis examines Bulgarian political and economic issues regarding NATO's military intervention in Yugoslavia in 1999. It studies: Bulgarian policy regarding Kosovo crisis; the domestic political attitudes and discussions over NATO's military intervention and over government's foreign policy on this issue; the impact of the war in Yugoslavia and post-war order on Bulgarian economy and Bulgarian domestic and foreign politics. The thesis attempts to evaluate some cost-effective assessments about short and long term consequences for Bulgaria. In spite of the initial highly negative and catastrophic expectations of the Bulgarian public, the country gained significant political dividends. Bulgarian prospects for EU and NATO membership now seem to be much more realistic than ever in the past. At the same time, NATO intervention and the postwar settlements have not solved the ethnic, political, military and economic problem on the Balkans, but complicated them and posed serious new risks for Bulgaria and for the Balkans in general. The war also brought certain negative ecologic effects. The intervention in Yugoslavia and its support by the Bulgarian government complicated Bulgarian- Russian relations, which most probably will have long-term negative effect on Bulgarian economy.

Bulgaria's actions and policies on military reform between 1990 and March 1997 left the country's institutions and military largely unprepared for integration with the Alliance. Bulgarian government and military officials have emerged from the state's self-imposed isolation lacking an understanding of how far behind they are, as well as what they need to do, to seek integration. Bulgaria's armed forces are only now starting to reform and downsize. The resultant social and economic pain has yet to be felt, and the state is likely to suffer significant political consequences. Some social and political figures may elect to portray the United States and NATO as the cause of Bulgaria's social, economic, and political pain. Bulgaria's citizens, politicians and military need NATO to better define its standards for interoperability.

After the collapse of Soviet Union and the disintegration of Warsaw Pact followed by basic political and social changes in Central and Eastern Europe, most of the former socialist states have remained vulnerable to aggression and coercion. Bulgaria is one of them. The Central and Eastern European region is continuing to accumulate tension and to produce threats based on ethnic and religious principles. It seems that NATO has remained the only power capable of guaranteeing peace and security in the region. It is simply impossible for Bulgaria to protect its national security and national sovereignty alone. The most reasonable solution to the problem is joining a powerful union such as NATO. But many Bulgarians still cannot look at NATO as a friend and a protector. They still suffer from the consequences of the former ideology. At the beginning of my paper I analyze NATO, including its core functions, its strategic concept, its initiatives for enhancing European security, and how the politicians in Western Europe see the role of NATO for achieving its goals. After that I discuss NATO enlargement as a key for enhancing security in Central and Eastern Europe and the impact of that enlargement on Russia and its interrelations with its previous allies. Next I direct the attention of the reader to the situation on the Balkans and how it affects Bulgarian national security. I examine alternatives to joining NATO for enhancing Bulgarian national security. I answer the question concerning what Bulgaria gains and loses by eventually securing membership in NATO. Finally I conclude that membership of NATO is the best solution for Bulgaria's national security needs.

Of Paper for NATO Advanced Research Workshop: Assessing Research and Innovation Policies and Their ImpactDevelopment and State of the Art of Evaluation in Germany with Special Reference to Higher Education and Research; Models of Evaluation Systems in Greece; Out of Success, Success: How Ireland Refuses to Grow Complacent; The eFORSEE Malta Project: Spotlight on Science-Society Interactions and Learning; COS = The Netherlands Consultative Committee of Sector Councils for Research and Develop.

By achieving membership in both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), post-communist Bulgaria has achieved two major political objectives as well as accomplished long sought - after strategic goals. These memberships have already placed new demands and requirements upon the development of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. Bulgarian accession into these organizations came as a consequence of the efforts made by both the government and its people. It emblemizes everything that Bulgarians stand for. Successful accession to the European Union provides a good opportunity for a retrospective view on the key events that occurred during this long transition toward democracy. This research paper intends to shed light on some of the key aspects of Bulgaria's post communist transition from communist to democratic rule, its accession into NATO, and a brand new challenge-membership in the EU. Analysis will also focus on the implication of these challenges for the Bulgarian Armed Forces.