Radev Rules Out Bulgarian Territory Being Used for Middle East Military Operations
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria will not allow its territory to be used for military operations in the Middle East, stressing that the planned deployment of US tanker aircraft at Bezmer Air Base is intended only for logistical purposes and aerial refueling missions outside Bulgarian airspace.
Speaking at the opening of Wednesday’s Council of Ministers meeting, Radev said the government had informed the public about the request from Bulgaria’s allies to deploy tanker aircraft at Bezmer and had decided to submit the matter to the National Assembly, where lawmakers would have the opportunity to express their position.
“We reject the practice of decisions being made behind the backs of Bulgarian citizens. That is why we submitted the request to the National Assembly, where the people’s representatives will give their opinion,” Radev said.
The Prime Minister recalled that two months earlier the government had revised a previous decision that would have allowed the same type of aircraft, in larger numbers, to be stationed at Sofia’s civilian airport. According to Radev, that arrangement would have placed military aircraft between civilian and passenger planes, close to busy airport terminals and near the capital.
