site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria Demands Intelligence Briefing before Backing US Tanker Mission

Talking to reporters in front of Parliament on Monday, Yes, Bulgaria Co-Chair and Democratic Bulgaria (DB) MP Ivaylo Mirchev said that before his party votes on Prime Minister Rumen Radev's proposal to bring US military tanker aircraft back to Bulgaria, it must receive full information from the Prime Minister himself, from the Minister of Defence, and from the Bulgarian intelligence services, so that it can understand the progress made regarding the lifting of visa requirements for Bulgaria, as well as why the Prime Minister wants the US tankers to return once again. Mirchev was commenting of Radev's statement that the National Assembly should authorize the deployment of these aircraft at Bezmer Air Base, Southeastern Bulgaria.

Mirchev noted that the United States is an extremely important strategic partner for Bulgaria. He added: "When it comes to Iran, when it comes to the Middle East, we must follow the common European position and at least participate in shaping it, rather than taking an individual stance. And another very important point: if Parliament does decide to allow American fuel tankers to be stationed in Bezmer, we must ask the Greek side, just as Mr [Andrey] Gurov's caretaker government did in a very responsible manner, to have a Patriot battery be deployed in Greece to protect our country, as there are certain risks in this regard."

Mirchev stated that it is very important for Bulgaria to be part of the pan-European Freya project, which is a missile defence project, so that Bulgaria can be truly protected.

Yes, Bulgaria Co-Chair and DB Deputy Floor Leader Bozhidar Bozhanov said that while prior to this request, the US aircraft had initially been announced for training purposes, it later became clear that there would be a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, however, now there appears to be no end in sight, and therefore, such strategic decisions cannot be made simply on the basis of a single request. He added: "We want to see all the documents, hear from the intelligence services, hear from the Prime Minister, and hear from the Defence Minister. An appropriate forum for serious discussion of this matter is the Consultative Council on National Security, which we are once again calling on the President to convene." He reported that DB sent a letter to President Iliana Iotova on Monday and added: "Once we receive all this information, the parliamentary group will discuss and decide how to approach this vote."

Bozhanov specified that since his party lacks information regarding risk assessments, the possibility of deploying a Patriot battery, or what information Bulgaria's US partners have shared about potential plans for the conflict, DB cannot conclude whether this would be a reasonable decision based on the available information.