Information & Security: An International Journal
Special issue on
Maritime Security
Editor: RADM Plamen Manushev, Commander of the Bulgarian Navy

On April 12, 2011, the AFCEA Varna Chapter, www.afcea.bg, will conduct its annual Black Sea naval conference under the auspices of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria. This year’s topic is “Enhancing Maritime Security in the Black Sea Region – Cooperation and Capabilities,” http://www.afcea.bg/conferences.php#24.

The forum will discuss:
- post-Lisbon Summit developments in NATO and their implications for the Alliance’s maritime operations;
- the evolving EU vision on maritime security;
- advanced concepts of operational and capability development cooperation;
- the future development of the navies in the Black Sea region and the prospects for enhancing their cooperation;
- national naval shipbuilding programmes in the Black Sea area;
- technological aspects of building capabilities for the maritime services, such as coastal surveillance, unmanned underwater vehicles, modernisation of platforms, and naval aviation.

At this stage, among the invitees are: Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III, COM NATO JFC Naples; Vice Admiral Maurizio Gemignani, ITA Navy, Commander, Allied Maritime Command Naples; Monique Pariat, Director, Directorate D “Mediterranean and Black Sea”, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries - European Commission; Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organisation; Admiral Bruno Branciforte, Chief of the Italian Navy; and Brig. Gen. Ikka Latinen, Executive Director, Frontex. All commanders of Black Sea navies will be invited as well.

The full text of the reports will be published in a special issue of Information & Security: An International Journal (I&S), http://infosec.procon.bg

Other authors, interested in making a presentation at the conference, or publishing original articles in this I&S special issue, are invited to submit a proposal to the AFCEA-Varna Secretary, (secretary@afcea.bg), and the I&S Managing Editor, (infosec@procon.bg) by 10 March 2011.

Full texts for publication in I&S, prepared according to I&S instructions, (http://infosec.procon.bg/instructions.htm), are due 20 April 2011.

Expected publication: August 2011.

The conference offers opportunities for industry sponsors to present equipment and technologies. For event registration, please contact secretary@afcea.bg.

Relevant book reviews, description of Web sites and other related initiatives can be submitted to infosec@procon.bg.