PM Radev: Combat operations in the Middle East will not be conducted from Bulgarian territory
It is categorically ruled out that combat operations in the Middle East will be conducted from Bulgarian territory, Prime Minister Roumen Radev said at the start of the July 22 meeting of the Cabinet.
Radev was speaking as Parliament had added to the Order Paper for the day’s sitting approval of the hosting at Bulgaria’s Bezmer military air base of US tanker refuelling military aircraft in support of US operations in the Middle East.
On July 20, Parliament’s defence committee approved at a special sitting the hosting of the US aircraft, prompting Iran to warn against allowing the US to use its territory for military operations against it.
Radev told the Cabinet meeting: “It is important to emphasise that we value our good relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“And it is categorically ruled out that combat operations in the Middle East will be conducted from Bulgarian territory. These tanker aircraft are solely for logistical missions and aerial refuelling, and outside Bulgarian airspace,” Radev said.
He said that both the US and Iran bear a huge responsibility to every inhabitant of the planet, because a war in the Middle East could have unpredictable global consequences.
“It is time to stop looking at each other through the sights of weapons. And Bulgaria calls on the parties to the conflict to take a step back. This is the interest of Europe, this is also our Bulgarian interest.”
Radev reiterated that the government had informed the public about the request of Bulgaria’s allies to deploy tanker planes at Bezmer Airport, and the decision is in the hands of Parliament.
“We reject the practice of assemblages making decisions behind the scenes,” Radev said, referring to a former informal ruling majority.
“That is why today we submitted the request to the National Assembly, where the representatives of the people will speak. Two months ago, with a decision of the Cabinet, we corrected an inadequate decision,” he said.
“These same tanker planes, even twice as many, were to stand at the Sofia civilian airport, between civilian passenger aircraft, in close proximity to busy terminals, in close proximity to the capital and which flew over the centre of the capital.”
Radev said that Bulgaria was fulfilling its commitment under the 2006 agreement between Sofia and Washington in the field of security, which also covers Bezmer Airport.
“And in spite of the efforts of politicians who sow and instill uncertainty abroad and work against the authority of our country, Bulgaria remains a predictable partner,” Radev said.
“And any populism on the topic of security is dangerous irresponsibility. And I am confident that the long-term positioning of our country will withstand demagogy,” he said.
